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Train fire disruption to continue Rail line to reopen after blaze
(about 2 hours later)
Rail journeys will continue to be affected until Wednesday following a blaze on a train on the main railway line between Scotland and England. Rail services on the east coast main line should be back to normal on Wednesday, according to Network Rail.
Network Rail said it was "very hopeful" the line would reopen within 24 hours of Tuesday's fire in East Lothian. The line was closed after a fire broke out on a freight train near Drem in East Lothian at about 0630 GMT, destroying 36 new cars.
The train was carrying 36 new cars, which were destroyed. Network Rail said the overhead cables needed extensive repairs but there was thought to be no damage to the track.
Buses have replaced trains between North Berwick and Prestonpans, with rail services starting and terminating at Berwick upon Tweed. In the meantime, rail passengers are being taken between Edinburgh and Berwick by bus.
The train was being removed at on Tuesday afternoon to make way for engineers to begin fixing overhead cables with "extensive damage". A special train will test the tracks before it reopens.
About 40 firefighters spent more than three hours bringing the blaze under control.
The damage is thought to have run into hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Fifteen foot flames were visible from Drem Steve DalgleishEyewitnessFifteen foot flames were visible from Drem Steve DalgleishEyewitness
It is understood the track and signalling cables were not damaged during the fire.
Lothian and Borders Police said the final three carriages of the train had caught fire and the vehicles on board had been destroyed.Lothian and Borders Police said the final three carriages of the train had caught fire and the vehicles on board had been destroyed.
Eyewitness Steve Dalgleish told the BBC Scotland news website: "I passed this train at 0730 GMT and it was well alight.Eyewitness Steve Dalgleish told the BBC Scotland news website: "I passed this train at 0730 GMT and it was well alight.
"Fifteen foot flames were visible from Drem and there were multiple fire engines and emergency vehicles on scene.""Fifteen foot flames were visible from Drem and there were multiple fire engines and emergency vehicles on scene."
Owen Parry, who also witnessed the fire, said: "Not sure what was on the truck but there were detonations every couple of minutes."Owen Parry, who also witnessed the fire, said: "Not sure what was on the truck but there were detonations every couple of minutes."
Fellow website user Anton said he planned to travel to London by train "to be green" but had to abandon his journey.Fellow website user Anton said he planned to travel to London by train "to be green" but had to abandon his journey.
He said: "The GNER/Scotrail staff were helpful enough, but the first bus to arrive at Waverley wouldn't start and no more arrived for at least half an hour.He said: "The GNER/Scotrail staff were helpful enough, but the first bus to arrive at Waverley wouldn't start and no more arrived for at least half an hour.
Cooling downCooling down
"At 9am I headed home. I hope someone covers the cost of my cancelled hotel.""At 9am I headed home. I hope someone covers the cost of my cancelled hotel."
Householders near the railway line were advised by police to close their doors and windows because of smoke although a south-westerly wind was blowing fumes away from the residential area. Householders near the railway line were advised by police to close their doors and windows because of smoke.
By 1000 GMT on Tuesday, firefighters were cooling down the carriages by spraying cold water on them from two hoses.By 1000 GMT on Tuesday, firefighters were cooling down the carriages by spraying cold water on them from two hoses.
Network Rail said there were no trains running south of Edinburgh on the line and trains travelling north were terminating at either Newcastle or Berwick as a result of the fire.
The 10-wagon train, operated by freight carrier EWS, left Washwood Heath, Birmingham, at 2153 GMT on Monday and had been due into Bathgate, West Lothian, at 0832 GMT on Tuesday.The 10-wagon train, operated by freight carrier EWS, left Washwood Heath, Birmingham, at 2153 GMT on Monday and had been due into Bathgate, West Lothian, at 0832 GMT on Tuesday.
EWS, which operates about 800 freight trains a day across the country, refused to say what type of vehicles were being transported. EWS operates about 800 freight trains a day across the country.