SHOCKING pictures have emerged which show damage to a ScotRail train after a tree fell on a driver's cab.
ScotRail confirmed that the driver and passengers are unharmed.
Paul Sweeney, shadow mental health minister, posted the images on Twitter/X.
Sweeney said: "Horrendous tree impact damage to a ScotRail InterCity 125 locomotive today, en route from Dundee to Glasgow.
"Thankfully, the driver is unharmed.
"Whilst a British railway icon, the crashworthiness of the 125 does not meet modern standards. The driver's cab is a fibreglass shell."
Horrendous tree impact damage to a ScotRail InterCity 125 locomotive today, en route from Dundee to Glasgow. Thankfully, the driver is unharmed. Whilst a British railway icon, the crashworthiness of the 125 does not meet modern standards. The driver's cab is a fibreglass shell. pic.twitter.com/dwn3nmjAaZ
— Paul Sweeney (@PaulJSweeney) December 27, 2023
Responding to the incident, Phil Campbell, ScotRail customer operations director, said: "Storm Gerrit has brought yellow weather warnings for high winds, rain, and snow across most of Scotland, which does bring the risk of trees and other objects falling on the railway infrastructure.
"We're sorry to customers who have experienced disruption to their journey as a result of this incident and we are pleased to confirm the driver and all passengers are safe and well.
"We'd encourage customers who plan to travel today and tomorrow to check their journey before setting off, and keep an eye on our website, mobile app, or social media channels for live updates.”
Rail union ASLEF shared several disturbing images of inside the driver's cabin after the collision took place.
ASLEF Scotland posted on Twitter/X after the collision took place.
In a post, the union said: "Shocking event that’s happened at #BroughtyFerry the outdated HST hit a tree. Driver reacted superbly and is shaken but not hurt. We continue dialogue with ScotRail over the future of these trains on the railway."
Shocking event that’s happened at #BroughtyFerry the outdated HST hit a tree. Driver reacted superbly and is shaken but not hurt. We continue dialogue with @scotrail over the future of these trains on the railway pic.twitter.com/8505pRtjt4
— ASLEF Scotland (@ASLEF_Scotland) December 27, 2023
Railway engineer and writer Gareth Dennis also posted on Twitter/X, writing that several train drivers and passengers had been in touch with him about the incident.
Writing on Twitter/X, Dennis said: "Thoughts with the driver of the HST that's just had its cab fail AGAIN having walloped a tree in Carnoustie... Not one, not two, not three but FOUR local drivers have contacted me about it, unhappy they are still running without modifications."
Thoughts with the driver of the HST that's just had its cab fail AGAIN having walloped a tree in Carnoustie... Not one, not two, not three but FOUR local drivers have contacted me about it, unhappy they are still running without modifications. pic.twitter.com/YdH0suSpIi
— Gareth Dennis (@GarethDennis) December 27, 2023
The incident did not happen at Carnoustie but at Broughtyferry.
The chaos of Storm Gerrit has caused delays and disruption to Scotland's travel network, with a tree reported to have fallen on the tracks and catching fire in the Dumbarton area earlier on Wednesday.
As of 5pm on Wednesday, no trains are running on the following routes:
- Aberdeen - Dundee - Edinburgh
- Inverness - Perth
- Aberdeen - Inverness
- West Highlands
- Kyle & Far North
