Drone hits Flying Scotsman on North York Moors outing

A POLICE investigation has been launched after a drone collided with the rear carriage of Flying Scotsman as it travelled on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway between Grosmont and Pickering.
An aerial view of the Flying Scotsman going over the Digswell Viaduct near Welwyn Garden City on its inaugural run from London to York after a decade long, £4.2 million refit. (Picture: Steve Parsons/PA Wire)An aerial view of the Flying Scotsman going over the Digswell Viaduct near Welwyn Garden City on its inaugural run from London to York after a decade long, £4.2 million refit. (Picture: Steve Parsons/PA Wire)
An aerial view of the Flying Scotsman going over the Digswell Viaduct near Welwyn Garden City on its inaugural run from London to York after a decade long, £4.2 million refit. (Picture: Steve Parsons/PA Wire)

The incident happened on Sunday March 13 at around 4pm, when a loud bang was heard by passengers.

Linda Wild, from Whitby, who was travelling in carriage H, said: “We could see a drone on the left-hand side of the train and thought it must be taking photos.

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Flying Scotsman makes it's way through the gates into the National Railway Museum in York (GL1009/09o)Flying Scotsman makes it's way through the gates into the National Railway Museum in York (GL1009/09o)
Flying Scotsman makes it's way through the gates into the National Railway Museum in York (GL1009/09o)

“The next thing we knew there was an almighty crash - it sounded like it had crashed into the roof.”

She added: “It was such a shock and could have caused a major accident. What if it had gone through the window?”

Linda, who was travelling with her husband and some friends, said the rest of the journey was “brilliant” but that the incident had scared her and left her with huge concerns about the use of drones and their safety.

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She spoke to an official on the train who said it would be reported to the British Transport Police.

Flying Scotsman makes it's way through the gates into the National Railway Museum in York (GL1009/09o)Flying Scotsman makes it's way through the gates into the National Railway Museum in York (GL1009/09o)
Flying Scotsman makes it's way through the gates into the National Railway Museum in York (GL1009/09o)

Liz Parkes, head of operations at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) said: “We are aware of a report of a drone grazing the back carriage of the 15.30 60103 Flying Scotsman service from Grosmont on Sunday March 13 in the Huntingbridge area.

“This is currently being investigated by the NYMR and British Transport Police.

“While no damage was caused, obviously drones are distracting to our drivers and could result in a criminal prosecution for endangering trains.

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“If any members of the public become aware of any incidents of this nature, we would urge them to report it immediately to a North Yorkshire Moors Railway staff member or the British Tranport Police so it can be investigated further.”