WORK to remove freight wagons and a locomotive derailed by a train crash that partially closed the main line between Glasgow and Dumfries is nearly complete, Scotrail have said.

Six of the wagons have been lifted off the line, while the the remaining ten and an engine are due to be taken away on Friday.

A 1,000 tonne crane was assembled at the site in the weeks since the crash, and has been put into action clearing the line between Kilmarnock and Dumfries.

The two trains were carrying ballast for engineering work when they rammed into one another at around 11.20am on Saturday 1st August and came off the tracks.

No one was injured in the crash but a spokesman for British Transport Police said the rail line had been "significantly damaged".

Extensive track renewal works will be carried out over the weekend to repair and replace rails, sleepers and other infrastructure damaged in the incident.

It is expected that the work will be completed by Sunday August 16, with passenger services planned to resume on the next day.

A Scotrail spokesman said: "Works to remove the derailed freight wagons and locomotive from the incident site at Logan, near Cumnock, are progressing to schedule with six wagons craned off the line today.

"Engineers will continue to work into tomorrow to remove the remaining 10 wagons and engine.

"Extensive track renewal works will then be carried out over the weekend to repair and replace rails, sleepers and other infrastructure damaged in the incident, which occurred on Saturday August 1.

"The recovery remains on course for completion on Sunday, August 16, with passenger services planned to resume on Monday, August 17."