Month: December 2023

Could the Hogwarts Express hit the buffers over muggle health and safety laws?

Recently, the media has picked up on litigation involving the use of heritage rolling stock, without centrally lockable doors, on steam operated specials which venture onto the mainline, such as charter trains, rail-tours and even some scheduled services on iconic tourist routes. It is the latter which has drawn the media’s notice to an issue,…Continue Reading Could the Hogwarts Express hit the buffers over muggle health and safety laws?

New legal restrictions on rail strikes

Rail strikes look set to rumble on in to the New Year with no end in sight. Although the RMT (Rail, Maritime and Transport) Union reached a settlement at the end of November on pay and job security which is set to last until at least Spring 2024, the train drivers’ union ASLEF (Associated Society…Continue Reading New legal restrictions on rail strikes

HMA v Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd

Introduction Back in September Network Rail was heavily fined by the High Court in Aberdeen in respect of the Carmont derailment of 12 August 2020 in which soil, stones and debris washed onto the line by a landslip following heavy rain, caused the derailment of the 06:38 Aberdeen to Glasgow Service. The consequences were exacerbated…Continue Reading HMA v Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd