Scottish Government urged to replace 'antiquated HST fleet' used in fatal Carmont crash with newer trains

The Scottish Government has been urged to replace the “antiquated HST fleet” used in the fatal Carmont crash with newer trains.

Train driver union Aslef has written to newly-appointed transport minister Kevin Stewart to request he seizes the opportunity to replace the antiquated 50-year-old high speed trains (HSTs) with newer, cleaner and more reliable Class 222 Meridan trains.

The 18-year-old Class 222 Meridans have become available as a result of East Midland Trains no longer requiring their use from 2024/25.

Aslef has previously demanded the refurbished HSTs are withdrawn by the third anniversary of the crash in August next year. The union’s Scottish organiser Kevin Lindsay has now urged ministers to take the train out of service.

The fatal railway accident occurred in August 2020, when a passenger train hit a landslip, near Carmont

He said: “Aslef has previously and repeatedly made clear our view that HST trains are not fit for purpose and need to be taken out of service.

"We have written to the new minister to reiterate our view, but also to point out to him that an opportunity to hasten their replacement has arisen. We urge the minister, working with Scottish Rail Holdings, to seriously explore this option.

"Replacing the HST with Class 222 Meridans will improve safety, reliability, environmental sustainability and comfort. It makes complete sense to do so.”

In his letter, he adds: “These trains could give Scotland a more reliable service and comfortable journey for passengers. I would encourage you to instruct Transport Scotland officials to look into securing these units at the earliest opportunity.”

The Scotsman revealed earlier this year that Network Rail was set to be prosecuted for failings over the Carmont rail crash in which three people were killed.

The infrastructure body will face charges over health and safety shortcomings that led to the fatal ScotRail train derailment near Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire in 2020, it is understood. However, it is believed no corporate homicide charges will be brought.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar previously called for the 40-year-old ScotRail fleet involved in the fatal Carmont crash to be scrapped.

Speaking last year, he told the-then First Minister Nicola Sturgeon that allowing such trains to operate, which did not meet current safety standards, should be “corrected immediately” once ScotRail was taken into Scottish Government control.

Earlier this week, Mr Lindsay didn't respond when asked directly by The Scotsman about the future of the HSTs, whose safety is being assessed by a Scottish Government group.

He said: "The group continues to meet and make progress. A final report will be submitted to my NEC in July where a final decision will be made about the future of HSTs."

The Scottish Government target is to scrap all of ScotRail's diesel trains by 2035.

Transport minister Kevin Stewart said: “We recognise the legitimate interest of drivers in HST replacement. However, this should be done considering all options for the right type of train that will help secure the future success of Scotland's Railway and contribute to our net zero target.

"As the c222s are diesel only, any consideration of their introduction would need to be taken in line with wider fleet demand and renewal requirements, alongside our ambitious decarbonisation targets.”

The UK Department for Transport’s Rail Accident Investigation Branch’s (RAIB) final report into the crash near Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire, in which three people were killed, said it was “more likely than not that the outcome would have been better if the train had been compliant with modern crashworthiness standards”.

The body compared the crash to the 95mph derailment of a newer Pendolino train in Cumbria in 2007, in which one passenger was killed and 30 injured.

Investigators said they did not regards HSTs to be unsafe, but their report made seven recommendations for safety improvements, including stronger “lifeguard” [metal brackets] to better protect the wheels from obstacles, safer window glass, and replacing batteries in carriages that were less likely to catch fire.