ORR issues twO pROhibitiOn nOtices in nine-day peRiOd

Risk assessment and safety management system shortcomings prompt notices to improve.

Yeovil Railway Centre and Rushden Transport Museum & Railway have been served with prohibition notices by the Office of Rail & Road, just over a week apart.

Yeovil-based South West Main Line Steam Company was served with a notice on June 24, after a locomotive-propelled train overran a stop board at the end of the YRC’s running line on May 19, and collided at low speed with a stabled goods van.

SWMLSC chairman Paul Gould told Steam Railway: “No injuries or damage resulted, although the incident was reportable to the ORR, which we did immediately.

“Following a visit by an inspector, we have been restricted from using our coach in a propelling move, as was the case when the incident occurred. We can, however, operate the coach top and tailed between two locomotives.

Currently we are reviewing and modifying our operational procedures and risk assessments for approval by the ORR.

“Our operations in all other respects including brake van rides continue unaffected.”

In serving the prohibition notice, the ORR felt the company had “not made a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks potentially arising from the operation of the transport system, and additionally has not implemented the findings of such a risk assessment,” it said.

Nine days later, on July 3, the ORR served a prohibition notice to the Rushden, Higham & Wellingborough Railway Limited, which operates trains at the Rushden Transport Museum & Railway, because the company “has an out of date Safety Management System, and an inability to demonstrate competence of staff and maintenance of traction, rolling stock and permanent way.”

Rushden Historical Transport Society chairman John Sugars added: “The trustees and the new Board of the Rushden, Higham & Wellingborough Railway acknowledge the facts mentioned in the ORR’s report. The points listed by the ORR are similar to those identified by the board in early 2018 when it informed the ORR that it was voluntarily suspending railway operations.

“We are working in conjunction with the ORR in reviewing and implementing points raised in their report and plan to be operational as soon as possible.”

AnTHOnY frenCH voluntarily suspended in early 2018, rail operations at the Rushden transport museum & Railway are planned to resume soon despite the line being served with a prohibition notice by the ORR in July. andrew barclay 0-4-0st Edmundsons, now awaiting overhaul, works an easter special on april 7 2012.