Power surge to blame for train splitting in two

Passengers were left trapped in a rush-hour train after it split into two at a station due to a power surge, it has emerged.

Three coaches of the six-carriage train were left behind at Uphall in West Lothian, after the incident in November last year.

Passengers described having to smash windows and activate the emergency door release to escape.

The incident is still being reviewed by the UK Department for Transport’s rail accident investigation branch.

However, train operator Scotrail said its own investigation found the cause to be an “electrical spike at the uncoupling point” and that passenger safety was not compromised.

Kevin Lindsay, Scottish organiser of train drivers’ union ASLEF, said the “extremely unusual event” had caused concern among drivers.

But, he added: “Following investigation by Scotrail’s fleet engineers and a full explanation of what happened, we are content that these units are safe and it’s highly unlikely this incident will ever be repeated.”

Meanwhile, ministers have been accused by Labour of “secretly fiddling” targets for two years to allow Scotrail to fall below performance levels.

But Transport Scotland said the passenger satisfaction score had been lowered to take account of the impact of work to upgrade lines and changes made to the passenger survey.