Re: UK Mainline Steam Tours BANNED

70000 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 17, 2016 1:17 pm

The (9 page) letter sent by the ORR to WCRC which is linked to at the bottom of the Press Release is worth reading.
They are particularly gunning for the Upper Management/Ownership levels of West Coast, highlighting that this is where the main problem lies.
The "Tangmere" court case is scheduled to start on 18th March, so it looks like the coming weeks are going to be "interesting" again for steam tours on the mainlines here.

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Wed Feb 17, 2016 6:52 pm

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-35597920

Quote:

West Coast Railway steam train firm banned from operating

A steam train operator has been banned from running its rail services on the UK's mainline railway.

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) said it had safety concerns over the West Coast Railway Company (WCRC).

It follows an incident last March in which a locomotive stopped across a busy main line railway junction near Royal Wootton Bassett.

WCRC managing director Patricia Marshall said she was "disappointed" with the ban.

She told Rail magazine: "West Coast Railways will continue to work closely with the ORR to demonstrate that it can continue operations on the National Network in a safe and proper manner."

WCRC and a driver are facing criminal proceedings after allegedly breaching health and safety laws.

Last March safety equipment was allegedly bypassed on the Tangmere locomotive, which caused it to pass a signal at danger.
'Safety concerns'

A high-speed train had passed over the junction less than a minute before.

The ORR said a number of incidents leading to safety concerns had occurred since the incident, despite the company being warned to improve safety.

It has issued a prohibition notice, which prevents WCRC - based in Carnforth, Lancashire - from operating trains.

Ian Prosser, HM Chief Inspector of Railways at ORR, said the decision to revoke the company's safety certificate had "not been 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."

70000 · **Posted:** Thu Mar 24, 2016 6:07 am

The WCRC ban has now been lifted...........

http://orr-newsroom.prgloo.com/news/orr ... t-railways

The seperate matter of the ongoing Court case has been deferred to May now (it should have started last week).

70000 · **Posted:** Mon Jun 27, 2016 2:22 pm

The result of the Court Case has been announced.......

Train operator fined for safety failings

"Train operator West Coast Railway Company Limited (WCRC) has been fined £200,000 and ordered to pay costs of £64,000. This follows a prosecution brought by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) for breaches of health and safety laws which led to a train passing a signal at danger near Wootton Bassett on 7 March 2015.

Melvyn Cox, a train driver with 40 years’ experience, has also received a four-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

ORR investigated an incident involving a steam locomotive operated by WCRC between Bristol and Southall, which passed a signal at danger near Wootton Bassett junction in Wiltshire. The train stopped almost 700 metres after the signal, across a busy junction on the Great Western main line.
ORR inspectors found significant failings in WCRC’s managerial controls. The company had not implemented appropriate procedures, training or monitoring of staff to stop intentional misuse of the Train Protection and Warning System (TPWS) equipment.

Our evidence showed the train’s driver Melvyn Cox directed a colleague to turn off this essential safety system, designed to automatically apply an emergency brake.

WCRC and Melvyn Cox both pleaded Guilty at Swindon Crown Court today.

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 (WCRC) 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.

"Rail safety remains one of the regulator’s key priorities and we will always take action against companies or individuals if failings are found."

Full press release at: http://orr.gov.uk/news-and-media/press- ... y-failings

This will most probably not get much exposure in the mainstream press given what else is going on here at the moment....................