In his speech to the CBI Conference on 7 November, Gerald Corbett made a factually incorrect statement.

Mr Corbett said that Railtrack had no say in the design or specification of trains. In fact, Railway Group Standards - over which Railtrack's S&SD has the final say - have to be complied with on every aspect of new train design as well as changes to existing vehicles. Train operators and manufacturers must ensure their trains meet detailed Railway Group Standard criteria on wheels, axles and weight before Railtrack will issue vehicle registrations to operators.

Railtrack also appoints independent Vehicle Acceptance Bodies and chairs the Rolling Stock Acceptance Board, on which the train operators are not even currently represented. The Strategic Rail Authority's Train Acceptance Group is likely to recommend that both train operators and manufacturers are represented on the Board in future.

Brian Clementson, Chair of the ATOC Rolling Stock Group, said: "Gerald is wrong. There is a very rigorous process for acceptance of new trains and significant changes to existing ones. The appointment of independent Vehicle Acceptance Bodies, whose role includes the review of design, is Railtrack's responsibility.

"Train operators are keen to see this matter resolved and have set up a wheel-rail interface group that will work with Railtrack to investigate corner gauge cracking. Until these investigations are complete, it is premature of Railtrack to suggest that this phenomenon is simply due to 'heavy trains'."

ENDS

For more information call the ATOC Press Office on 020 7904 3010

Railnews Archive ::: 2000-11-08 ATO-001