UPDATE: The line has now reopened.
RESIDENTS are being warned of travel chaos after a tree fell on a train line in Dumbarton and caught fire.
Network Rail announced earlier today that its teams are responding to the issue at Dumbarton East.
Trains travelling through this area have been temporarily suspended as the power supply has been turned off to allow safe access to the line.
We're responding to a a tree on the line in the Dumbarton area. The tree is blocking the line and has caught fire, which is affecting overhead lines. The line is currently closed whilst we gain access to remove the tree and extinguish the fire. @ScotRail
— Network Rail Scotland (@NetworkRailSCOT) December 27, 2023
The tree is currently blocking the line and it is understood that the fire affected the overhead wires.
Images show the extent of the damage.
Here's a picture of the tree which is causing disruption to services via Dumbarton. As this is coming into close contact with overhead lines, @NetworkRailSCOT will shut off power supply to the overheads, allowing access to safely remove this from the railway. pic.twitter.com/XtaMKr4umA
— ScotRail (@ScotRail) December 27, 2023
Rail bosses confirmed that the line remains closed whilst engineers work to remove the tree.
So far, branches have been removed from the damaged pantograph - special devices mounted on trains to collect current from contact wires - and efforts are ongoing to remove the rest.
Once the tree is removed it is hoped that power will be restored as quickly as possible allowing services to resume.
Further updates will be provided via Network Rail's social media channels.
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