Multiple casualties after collision involving Flying Scotsman at …
Tourists who forked out for a luxury train trip across the Highlands have been left disappointed after the famous Flying Scotsman was taken out of action following a crash.
The collision involving the Flying Scotsman steam engine and a swanky train at Aviemore sparked a major emergency response, and injured five people.
The incident happened on Friday evening at around 7.15pm on the Strathspey heritage line, which shares space at the railway station in the Highland village.
It involved the famous Flying Scotsman and the Belmond-operated train, the Royal Scotsman, which offers “luxury tours across Scotland”.
The scene on Saturday morning. Image: Sandy McCook/DC Thomson
Family journeyed to Scotland for dream trip
On Saturday morning, the historic steam engine was back in the shed while the carriages remained on the platform. It’s understood the buffers absorbed most of the impact.
Rail buff Brian Harrington, who was wearing a Flying Scotsman cap, wife Sue and daughter Emma had travelled 300 miles from North Yorkshire to Aviemore for the trip of a lifetime.
The Royal Scotsman carriages in Aviemore. Image: Sandy McCook/DC Thomson
We met them as they arrived at the north railway station, they were unsure if they’d be able to take to the tracks at all.
Brian, 71, said: “We were across the road having a meal when all the blue lights were going off.
“We’ve travelled up to travel on the train today, so we were very surprised.”
Trip without Flying Scotsman leaves English holidaymaker crestfallen
Strathspey Steam Railway has since confirmed that, although 9am and 11am trips to Boat of Garten had to be cancelled, others will go ahead.
However, the Flying Scotsman won’t be puffing its way across the line. It will be replaced by a diesel engine.
Journeys at 1pm, 3pm and 5pm should still take place.
The Royal Scotsman is still on the tracks at Aviemore following the crash with the Flying Scotsman steam engine. Image: Sandy McCook/DC Thomson
The rail historians explained that the Flying Scotsman has been taken out of action, while it “awaits inspection”.
Meanwhile, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch told us it is “reviewing available evidence and deciding what further action to take”.
What happened in Flying Scotsman crash?
The Flying Scotsman was in the process of linking up with carriages of the luxury Royal Scotsman when the collision took place.
Police at the scene of the crash at Aviemore. Image: Sandy McCook/DC Thomson.
Pictures shared on social media showed that scores of expensive bottles of wine had been knocked over in the crash.
The Flying Scotsman, a favourite among rail historians, is understood to have been towing those coaches on a journey across the Highlands.
The historic engine has been stationed in Aviemore this week operating services along the Strathspey Heritage Railway to Boat of Garten and Broomhill.
The Flying Scotsman on the line in question recently:
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Historic locomotive and luxury train collide at Aviemore
Eight fire appliances were dispatched to the scene, as the area became a hive of emergency service activity.
The Flying Scotsman locomotive at the scene in Aviemore. Image: Sandy McCook/DC Thomson.
Police have confirmed that two people, one passenger and one train crew member, have been taken to hospital for treatment, while three more were treated at the scene.
Eyewitnesses say there was a “flurry of activity” around the back of Aviemore Railway Station where the heritage railway line is located.
A police spokesman said: “Two people have been taken to Raigmore Hospital.
“A number of other passengers are being treated at the scene and inquiries are ongoing.”
All other passengers transferred to hotel after Flying Scotsman crash
A spokesman for Belmond said staff were now working on “onward travel arrangements” for affected passengers.
He said: “Thankfully, there were no major injuries.
“We are grateful for the prompt attendance by paramedics who were on site to assist the few passengers and team members who sustained minor injuries.
“All passengers have been transferred to a hotel where our team is on standby to offer support and to assist with our guests’ onward travel arrangements.
“Our thanks to the Royal Scotsman[1] crew for their swift reactions and attention to the safety and well-being of our passengers; our highest priority.”
Emergency services at the scene. Image: Sandy McCook/DC Thomson.
The National Railway Museum, the famed York attraction where the Flying Scotsman is based, confirmed that it was “co-operating with investigations” into the inicdent.
We can confirm that on Friday 29 September at 18:15, a shunting incident occurred when the Flying Scotsman locomotive was being coupled with Belmond’s Royal Scotsman train carriages, which were stationary on heritage railway line, Strathspey Railway. Flying Scotsman was…
— National Railway Museum (@RailwayMuseum) September 29, 2023[2]
Due to the incident, ScotRail announced that it would be unable to operate services through Aviemore due to the large number of emergency service vehicles near the railway.
However, the station was reopened late on Friday evening, with services now back to normal.
Gallery: Did you see the Flying Scotsman in Aberdeen?[3]
References
- ^ Royal Scotsman (www.belmond.com)
- ^ September 29, 2023 (twitter.com)
- ^ Gallery: Did you see the Flying Scotsman in Aberdeen? (www.pressandjournal.co.uk)