Drivers running the lights at a Highland level crossing are coming within seconds of being hit by a 300-tonne steam train.
A number of near misses in the past few weeks have caused police to issue a warning to motorists in Aviemore.
Strathspey Railway Company bosses told yesterday how cars were cutting it so fine that, on at least one occasion, the train driver could read the number of the offending vehicle.
The Strathspey Railway Company admitted that it is a “constant worry” that their train could be involved in a “devastating” accident at the level crossing at Dalfaber Drive.
Three near misses have been recorded in the past fortnight alone, with several more going back to the start of the train’s season.
Gill Kelly, train manager of the Strathspey Railway Company, said it has been a problem stretching back over the years.
She said that one incident last year saw the train clip the bumper of a car running the lights, while others have been recorded as close as 10ft or two seconds from impact.
Ms Kelly said: “It’s certainly something that we are very worried about. We’ve had some very close shaves recently, three in the last fortnight and about six this year.
“In some cases they’ve been really close, just seconds from impact.”.
“It amazes me that people are prepared to take the risks they take. It really concerns our drivers as well.”
She added: “We worry about it constantly, every single day.
“There is a very real possibility of a serious accident and the impact on our drivers and passengers, as well as the people in a car doesn’t really bear thinking about.”
The railway is not on the main line and is used by the railway company for tourist trips through the Cairngorms National Park.
The private crossing doesn’t have barriers but has warning lights for approaching cars, while the train passes through the crossing at a maximum speed of 10mph.
Aviemore and Vicinity Community Council chairman John Grierson said that his group had been calling for a barrier crossing to be installed for several years.
The former policeman said that he had dealt with near misses at the crossing during his professional career and it was a “matter of luck” that there had not been a serious accident.
He said: “It’s difficult to understand why accidents and near misses happen. The train isn’t exactly moving very fast at that point.
“A barrier crossing should stop that and that’s what we’ve been pushing for for several years now.
“We’ve been lucky really, it’s just a matter of luck that there hasn’t been a series accident there.”
A half-barriered crossing is included in planning condititions for a new housing development north of Dalfaber Drive, which was granted permission earlier this year.
Councillor Bill Lobban, who lives nearby, added: “To be quite honest this is down to bad driving.
“It’s a very visible level crossing and it’s pretty difficult to miss.
“I would urge drivers to be more cautious than they are at the moment.”
The most recent serious accident at the crossing was in 2005 when the train with more than 100 tourists on board struck a Nissan Micra and pushed it more than 200 yards down the line.
The female driver was cut free from the wreckage of her car but did not suffer life-threatening injuries.
Local area police commander Inspector Fiona Wemyss said: “Over the last week there has been a number of incidents and near misses at the railway level crossing on Dalfaber Drive, Aviemore, where motorists have failed to obey the red flashing stop signs and crossed the railway line in front of the approaching steam train.
“This practice is a serious danger to the safety of road users and also to passengers and staff on the train. Those caught offending will be prosecuted.”
