Railway firm criticised over Flying Scotsman collision

Accident investigators have criticised a railway company over a collision in the Highlands involving the Flying Scotsman steam locomotive.

Two passengers were hurt when the locomotive reversed into its coaches at low speed, on the private Strathspey railway in Aviemore in September last year

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said the driver was not aware of how close the coaches were to Flying Scotsman and did not control its speed accordingly.

The RAIB said Strathspey Railway Company’s "ineffective management" of the locomotive's visit to the line was an underlying factor. The firm said it accepted the findings.

Flying Scotsman was on a tour of Great Britain to mark its centenary at the time of the incident.

The 97-tonne locomotive is owned by the National Railway Museum in York.

The RAIB said it was travelling at 7mph before the collision on 29 September.

The driver had intended to stop near the Royal Scotsman coaches in preparation for Flying Scotsman to be coupled to them.

Two passengers hit their heads together and were taken to hospital. Another passenger fell to the floor.

Minor damage was caused to Flying Scotsman's tender - used for storing fuel and water - and the coaches involved.

Numerous bottles of wine and spirits also fell to the floor in the kitchen coach.

The report also found the driver's view of the track was limited and no-one else in the cab warned him the locomotive was approaching the coaches.

The RAIB said: "The driver’s expectation, based on previous experience, was that the coaches would be located further away from the approaching locomotive.

"The Strathspey Railway Company’s ineffective management of the visit of the locomotive to the railway was identified as an underlying factor."

Investigators also noted there were six people inside Flying Scotsman's cab when the most there should have been was four.

Strathspey Railway said it had fully engaged with the investigation.

A spokesperson said: "The learning points in the report have already been addressed and work to deliver the intent of the one recommendation in the report is in hand."

Strathspey Railway is a popular tourist destination in the Cairngorms National Park.

It operates a number of steam locomotives, including a recently restored 74-year-old loco, and offers trips from Aviemore.

The company had to suspend its Santa Express service for a time after the accident to allow for the investigation.