NETWORK Rail is to face court action after the Aberdeenshire train crash which claimed three lives.
Driver Brett McCullough, 45, conductor Donald Dinnie, 58, and passenger Christopher Stuchbury, 62, died when their train hit a landslide and derailed at Carmont on 12 August 2020.
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Network Rail is due to face criminal action at the High Court in Aberdeen on 7 September, according to BBC Scotland.
The court rolls state the case will call under a section 76 indictment, which suggests that a guilty plea may be offered.
Network Rail said: “The Carmont derailment and the tragic loss of Christopher Stuchbury, Donald Dinnie and Brett McCullough was a terrible day for our railway and our thoughts remain with their families and all those affected by the accident.
“While we cannot comment on the ongoing legal process, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch report into Carmont made clear that there were fundamental lessons to be learnt by Network Rail and we have supported the investigation process.
“Since August 2020, we have been working hard to make our railway safer for our passengers and colleagues.”
Six other people were injured when the 06:38 Aberdeen to Glasgow service hit washed-out debris at Carmont, south of Stonehaven.
The train was returning to Aberdeen due to the railway being blocked further down the line.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) made 20 safety recommendations in the wake of the crash.
They included better management of civil engineering projects, improved response to extreme rainfall, and better understanding of the additional risk associated with older trains.
A drainage system was installed in 2011 and 2012 by now-collapsed contractor Carillion – but it was not in accordance with the design.
