Railways set for a week of chaos

Train services on the West Coast Main Line are unlikely to resume before Monday 5 March, Network Rail said last night.

Despite its remote setting, the line is one of the busiest stretches of the network, and Friday's crash has left services in disarray. Normally, around 193 trains a day travel along the section of track where the accident occurred.

All Virgin trains between Lancaster and Carlisle will be replaced by a bus. Trains from the south will terminate at Lancaster and Preston; those from the north will terminate at Carlisle.

GNER will accept Virgin tickets between Glasgow and King's Cross. Northern Rail will accept them between Carlisle and Newcastle. Passengers should call National Rai on 08457 484950l before setting out.