A DRIVER had a lucky escape on Thursday afternoon after colliding with a steam train on a crossing near Beddgelert

The driver of the vehicle who appears to have paid no attention to the sign which require drivers to stop, look and listen, drove straight on to the crossing when the 15.40 Welsh Highland train from Porthmadog to Caernarfon was on the line.

A railway spokesman commented that the driver was very lucky indeed to have got off so lightly.

the spokesman added: “The 62-tonne steam locomotive appears to have suffered only cosmetic damage.

“The two carriages immediately behind the engine were damaged by the car causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.

“The car is a write off.”

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch took control of the site briefly and the police also attended.

The site was quickly released back to Welsh Highland Railway staff once the circumstances where understood and the recovery operation completed.

There were no injuries.

More than a hundred passengers on the train were inconvenienced and arrangements were made for them to complete their journey by road transport.

Paul Lewin, General Manager of the railway praised the railway staff for working quickly and efficiently in the demanding hot weather conditions to look after the passengers, resolve the problems and recover the trains. As a result Welsh Highland Railway services is running as normal today (Friday).

The railway is issuing a reminder to all road users to use railway crossings properly.

All crossings are signed with instructions as to their use and these should be adhered to.

If drivers follow the rules crossings are safe and convenient. This incident reminds us that drivers put themselves at considerable risk if not using crossings properly and also endanger the hundreds of passengers on the train.