Level crossing collision occurs near Beddgelert

Welsh Highland Railway services disrupted following crash at remote location.

FFESTINIOG & Welsh Highland Railway (Ff&WHR) services between Caernarfon and Porthmadog were disrupted due to a collision between a ‘Snowdonia Star’ train and a vehicle on October 28 at about 11.30am. Details were sparse as The RM went to press but the incident seems to have occurred on the level crossing at Cwm Gloch Isaf, a remote location on a minor road serving farms in the Beddgelert area. The crossing is ungated but understood to have multiple warning signs and good visibility for trains heading towards Beddgelert. A police report issued shortly after 11.30am stated that officers and emergency services were responding but no serious injuries were being reported. Although the responders included an air ambulance, it is understood that only one person sustained injury and they were taken to hospital in Bangor by road. It is believed, but not officially confirmed, that this person was the road vehicle driver. With the line blocked near Beddgelert, a ‘Harbourmaster’ train at Caernarfon was unable to return to Porthmadog. A locomotive was dispatched from the Caernarfon direction to bring the stranded ‘Snowdonia Star’ passengers back. No rescue train is reported to have been sent from the Porthmadog end of the line; passengers are therefore assumed to have been returned to their points of origin by road transport. It is speculated but not confirmed that the loco involved in the collision was Garratt NG/ G16 No. 143. As The RM closed for press, no information concerning damage to locomotive, carriages, or the road vehicle was available and no official statement concerning the incident was forthcoming from Ff&WHR. The Ff&WHR is understood to have set up an investigation and informed RAIB.