The operator of the Lochaber steam train made famous by Harry Potter has admitted a safety breach by one of its trains in England.
The West Coast Railway Company (WCRC) was fined £200,000 and ordered to pay costs of £64,000 for breaches of health and safety laws after a train passed a danger signal near Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire on March 7 last year.
Train driver Melvyn Cox, who has 40 years experience, also received a four month prison sentence, which has been suspended for 18 months.
The company operate the popular Jacobite steam train between Fort William and Mallaig.
Both WCRC and Cox pleaded guilty at Swindon Crown Court yesterday.
It followed an investigation by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), which found that the driver had directed a colleague to turn off a warning system designed to automatically apply the emergency brake.
The train ultimately stopped more than 2,200ft after the danger signal across a busy junction on the Great Western main line.
Ian Prosser, HM Chief Inspector of Railways said: “Train operating companies and their drivers hold positions of great responsibility, with a duty to protect the safety of colleagues and passengers. Almost all undertake their roles in accordance with the rules and their training.
“West Coast Railway Company’s ineffective management led to their train driver deliberately misusing a key safety system on a train travelling between Bristol and Southall.
“This prosecution has led to WCRC taking significant steps to improve its management of safety, with support from the regulator.”
A spokesman for the company said: “West Coast Railways regret the incident at Wootton Basset junction, and are thankful there were no injuries.
“Since then WCR have studied and carried out full appraisals in all areas of the business and further strengthened its operation, to ensure it operates as one of the safest and most robust rail services in the country.”
