LISTEN: Highland Business Reacts To Jacobite Steam Train Operator Safety BAN
By Connor Gillies
A woman who runs a restaurant in a Highland village tells us if the Jacobite Steam Train was not allowed to run it would be "catastrophic" for business.
The popular tourist service is operated by West Coast Railways which has been BANNED from the rails across the UK for major safety failings.
The Jacobite runs between Fort William and Mallaig in Summer months bringing in millions to the Lochaber economy.
The route is also the same shown in the Harry Potter films.
West Coast Railways provided Warner Brothers with the train used as the Hogwarts Express in all of the movies and allowed them use of the Jacobite's route for filming.
The company has also been told to make 7 improvements or face even tougher sanctions.
A Network Rail spokesperson said: “Network Rail has issued a suspension notice to West Coast Railway Company Limited (WCR) as a result of ongoing safety concerns.
“This decision has not been taken lightly, however safety will always be our number one priority.
“We have set out a number of actions to address the safety concerns raised and will continue to work with WCR to ensure their services can run safely in future.”
Michelle Milligan runs the Steam Inn bar-bistro in Mallaig: Network Rail made the following recommendations which should be actioned by the 15th of May:
1. Introduce an effective, risk-based driver monitoring regime that includes proactively using analysis of On Train Data Recorder downloads for a representative and sufficient sample of diagrams;
2. Demonstrate there is in place an effective and secure system of tamper-evident seals for train **protection isolator cocks on all relevant traction;
3. Implement arrangements to accurately record, monitor and manage all train protection activations (including Automatic Warning System and Train Protection and Warning System), and provide clear instructions to all train crew, including support crew, on the actions expected **of them report and respond to train protection activation;
4. Establish a time-bound plan to recommence and complete implementation of the actions **arising from Network Rail’s review of WCR’s Safety Management System in January 2015;
5. Review and implement appropriate changes to company processes to be able to demonstrate that all safety and operational information is received and positively acknowledged by train drivers;
6. Demonstrate by independent assurance that there is an effective system for managing access **to traction footplates/cabs in traffic, with clear communication protocols; and
7. Clarify the safety accountabilities for each Director and independently review the effectiveness of the company’s safety assurance and governance arrangements to demonstrate that those accountabilities are discharged.
A spokesperson from West Coast Railways said: "We are working hard to reverse the current suspension imposed by Network Rail by fully satisfying their concerns."
"Passengers booked to travel with West Coast Railways and on their associated trips should not be concerned, if necessary West Coast Railways will charter the service of another licensed operator using the same traditional carriages and trips will be unaffected, but West Coast Railways hope this won’t be necessary and trust any issues will be resolved to the satisfaction of network rail."