World famous Flying Scotsman involving in collision on Highlands visit
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Two people have been taken to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness after the world famous Flying Scotsman was involved in a collision with a carriage at Aviemore steam railway station.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service sent eight appliances to the scene including from Aviemore, Kingussie and Newtonmore.
Sirens could be heard in and around the village a short time after the incident just after 7pm.
The conditions of the two casualties is not known at this stage.
Fire crews have left the scene now.
There was no real indication to motorists travelling along Grampian Road and passing the main entrance of the village's Victorian station a short time ago that there had been a major incident by the station.
Highlands News & Meda reporter Tom Ramage said: "The Flying Scotsman is still here steaming away.
"There appear to have been three carriages possibly four on the service and they are all sitting on the line as they should be.
"The Flying Scotsman appears to have been backing up a low speed but nevertheless faster than it should have been and shunted into the carriage.
"A collision that is not expected will do damage.
"There has been damage to the couplings but it appears that the famous loco itself is unscathed and that the carriages have not been damaged either.
"The Flying Scotsman is due to be on duty tomorrow – there is a big weekend of trips on the Strathspey Steam Railway line coming up. It is the last weekend it is here."
"I have been told pretty affirmatively that the Flying Scotsman is okay.
"We do not know at this stage how many people were on the carriages at the time of the incident but two people have been hospitalised.
"Other passengers have been taken to a local hotel to gather their thoughts but it is not clear which hotel yet."
Emergency services confirmed two people were taken to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness after the collision.
A police spokesman said: “At around 7pm on Friday, September 29, we received a report of two trains colliding at Aviemore Railway Station.
“Emergency services are in attendance, and two people have been taken to Raigmore Hospital.
A ScotRail spokesman said: "Due to the emergency services responding to an incident on a private railway near the mainline, we're currently unable to run any trains through Aviemore station while they work.
"Everyone on our trains are safe and well, as the incident hasn't involved us – it's taken place on a private line next to the mainline in Aviemore."
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The Strathspey Steam Railway has been hosting a visit from The Flying Scotsman since the middle of the month.
The heritage line runs parallel to the Highland main line in the centre of Aviemore.
