Last March safety equipment was allegedly bypassed on the Tangmere locomotive, which caused it to pass a signal at danger. A high-speed train had passed over the junction less than a minute before. The ORR said a number of incidents leading to safety concerns had occurred since the incident, despite the company being warned to improve safety.
It has issued a prohibition notice, which prevents WCRC - based in Carnforth, Lancashire - from operating trains. Ian Prosser, HM Chief Inspector of Railways at ORR, said the decision to revoke the company's safety certificate, external had "not been taken lightly".
"However, my concerns about West Coast Railway Company's lack of appreciation of the seriousness of a collective range of incidents over the last year, coupled with ORR's concerns on the company's governance, regrettably make this prohibition necessary.