A HERITAGE operator involved in a series of dangerous incidents, including a SPAD at a main line junction, has been banned from Network Rail infrastructure with effect from today by the Office of Rail and Road.
Railway inspectors from the ORR had been investigating West Coast Railways since a steam-hauled charter overran a stop signal at a junction near Swindon in March last year and came close to colliding with a Great Western HST, after the Train Protection and Warning System had been allegedly switched off.
In other incidents trains moved unexpectedly and one collided with platform buffers at Weymouth, which the ORR said had not been reported, in contravention of RIDDOR. There was also a further incident later last year involving a further TPWS intervention by a fireman during a shunting movement at Doncaster, while the company's Southall depot was found to be poorly lit and lacking proper fire extinguishers. Liquefied Petroleum Gas was being incorrectly stored while other safety requirements were also not being met, including rules about the handling of hazardous substances.
The ORR is also concerned that one general manager had resigned shortly after being appointed and was not replaced, so that responsibility for safety became blurred among the remaining senior management. Essential documents were lacking and some staff were not properly briefed. There was also a dispute with the ORR about maximum train lengths.
West Coast Railways, which operates the scheduled 'Jacobite' steam service between Fort William and Mallaig, has defended itself in some of these cases. It said, for example, that the Doncaster incident had been reported, although not promptly, and that the Weymouth collision was not severe enough to justify a direct RIDDOR notification, while Network Rail had cut off the power and water at Southall depot. West Coast also appointed an acting head of operations on 7 December.
However, HM chief inspecting officer Ian Prosser decided to revoke the company's Safety Certificate from 18 February. 24 hours notice was given so that the company could legally return its rolling stock to depots yesterday.
He said: "A decision to stop a train operator from running rail services is not taken lightly. However, my concerns about West Coast Railway Company’s lack of appreciation of the seriousness of a collective range of incidents over the last year, coupled with ORR’s concerns on the company’s governance, regrettably make this prohibition necessary. These failings create a significant risk to operations on the mainline network.
“We want to encourage successful business operations on our railways and hope WCRC will be able to put in place steps to ensure fit and proper safety management with a view to resuming operations. Our inspectors stand ready to work with the company to support and advise as it strengthens its approach to safety."
Meanwhile a court will decide the outcome of the original SPAD near Swindon next month. The town's Crown Court will hear pleas on 18 March from the company and one of its drivers, in response to charges in connection with the Health & Safety at Work Act.