Flying Scotsman fans urged to stay safe as famous loco visits Wales: Flying Scotsman fans urged to stay safe

Thursday 18 May 2017

Flying Scotsman fans urged to stay safe as famous loco visits Wales

Region & Route:
Wales & Western: Wales & Borders
| Wales & Western

Fans of the famous Flying Scotsman are being urged to keep off the tracks when the steam engine travels through Wales this week.

As well as the danger from passing trains, the railway poses many threats to safety and anyone wanting to catch a glimpse of the iconic train should only do so from a safe and a publicly accessible area.

Andy Thomas, route managing director for Network Rail Wales, said: “While the turnout to see the Flying Scotsman on previous visits shows the passion and support for steam engines, and indeed the railway itself, I cannot stress enough how dangerous it is to go on or near the railway without any formal training and without permission. We are working with our partners at Arriva Trains Wales and British Transport Police to ensure people are not venturing into dangerous areas.”

Inspector Dai Davies from British Transport Police said: “I would like to remind people that trespassing on the tracks is an offence. We understand people are excited about seeing the Flying Scotsman and want them to have a safe, great day out. We are urging those who plan to enjoy seeing the Flying Scotsman, to do so from a safe position and do not go onto the railway under any circumstances”

Notes to editors

  • To avoid the potential for overcrowding at certain locations, Network Rail will not be proactively issuing timings for Flying Scotsman journeys
  • For more information about Flying Scotsman visit www.flyingscotsman.org.uk

Contact information

Passengers / community members
Network Rail national helpline
03457 11 41 41

Latest travel advice
Please visit National Rail Enquiries

Journalists
Network Rail press office - Laura Kendrick
Communications Executive
Laura.Kendrick@networkrail.co.uk

About Network Rail

We own, operate and develop Britain's railway infrastructure; that's 20,000 miles of track, 30,000 bridges, tunnels and viaducts and the thousands of signals, level crossings and stations. We run 20 of the UK's largest stations while all the others, over 2,500, are run by the country's train operating companies.

Usually, there are almost five million journeys made in the UK and over 600 freight trains run on the network. People depend on Britain's railway for their daily commute, to visit friends and loved ones and to get them home safe every day. Our role is to deliver a safe and reliable railway, so we carefully manage and deliver thousands of projects every year that form part of the multi-billion pound Railway Upgrade Plan, to grow and expand the nation's railway network to respond to the tremendous growth and demand the railway has experienced - a doubling of passenger journeys over the past 20 years.

Follow us on Twitter: @networkrail
Visit our online newsroom: www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk