- The operator says it will have to pay £7 million if they have to modernize the doors
- Hogwarts Express was temporarily suspended over the summer after concerns were raised
- Heritage trains such as Flying Scotsman are at risk of being wiped off the UK main line
The operator of the Hogwarts Express and Britain’s rail regulator are in a court battle over safety regulations over the slamming doors.
West Coast Railway (WCR) has been hit with a judicial review in a bid to keep the traditional swinging doors on their 1950s carriages.
The Office for Rail and Road (ORR) said train doors must have a modern central locking system, in line with regulations brought in two decades ago.
If they are forced to modernize their doors for safety reasons it will cost £7m and the operator has argued that this will wipe out their profits for ten years.
The WCR has been working with an exception to this regulation since 2005, but this expired in June.
Because it owns 60 percent of Britain’s heritage trains, the WCR fears this rule will wipe out these trains and drive them off the UK main line.
This includes another Harry Potter classic, the Jacobite Steam Train and the Flying Scotsman, which is a century old and the first train to reach speeds of 100mph.
The Hogwarts Express service was temporarily suspended over the summer after a safety investigation raised concerns about secondary door locks
The Office for Rail and Road (ORR) said train doors must have a modern central locking system, in line with regulations brought in two decades ago (stock image)
King Charles traveled to North Yorkshire in June on a royal train pulled by the Flying Scotsman to celebrate his centenary
Trains such as the Flying Scotsman (pictured) are at risk of being removed from the UK main line
King Charles traveled to North Yorkshire in June on a royal train pulled by the Flying Scotsman to celebrate his centenary.
This comes after a stricter approach to older carriages, amid fears that younger passengers may not be familiar with them.
There have also been cases of train doors being unlocked while the locomotive was in motion.
Severn Valley Railway health and safety manager Richard Morris said: ‘There have been some incidents where Great Western carriage doors were found to be open on arrival at stations or in the center section (while the train was in motion) .
‘Lack of awareness among a younger target group and ever-increasing pressure from the rail regulator means rail needs to be proactive.’
Some historic trains still use old-fashioned latching systems above each door in the carriage.
The Hogwarts Express service was temporarily suspended over the summer after a security investigation raised concerns about secondary door locks.
According to the ORR, passengers were “at risk” of falling from their carriages or being hit while leaning out of the window.
A spokesperson for ORR said: ‘As a rail regulator, our role is to ensure that Britain’s railways are operated safely.
‘Since 2005 there has been a regulation banning the use of carriages with hinged doors for passenger use on the main line.
‘The majority of charter heritage operators have complied with regulations by installing central door locking, or have a plan to do so. Services can operate with compliant carriages.”
The WCR has been contacted by MailOnline for comment.
A decision is expected next year.