This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/7171049.stm

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 10 Version 11
Train strikes lorry at crossing Locomotive hits lorry at crossing
(about 5 hours later)
A train has hit a lorry on the Whitemoss level crossing between Gleneagles and Perth. A train driver has been injured after his locomotive struck a lorry on the Whitemoss level crossing between Gleneagles and Perth.
The main Glasgow to Aberdeen rail line is expected to be blocked until midday following the accident which happened shortly before 0700 GMT on Friday. The engine was travelling from Grangemouth to Inverness when the accident happened at about 0645 GMT.
No passengers were on board the train, which was travelling from Grangemouth to Inverness. The engine driver had to be cut free, but his injuries are not thought to be life threatening. The lorry driver and his teenage son escaped injury.
The engine driver was given first aid at the scene, but the two people in the lorry were not hurt. The line between Dunblane and Perth is expected to reopen at about 1630 GMT.
The incident has blocked the line between Dunblane and Perth, which is the main arterial route north.
All services between Glasgow Queen Street and Aberdeen are affected.
Significant disruption
The London to Inverness sleeper service, which was travelling behind the train, stopped at Gleneagles station and coaches carried passengers onwards.
Network Rail said the train was a single engine locomotive with no wagons attached.Network Rail said the train was a single engine locomotive with no wagons attached.
'Great professionalism'
The truck, owned by Robert Neill of Dunning, was carrying wooden crates full of potatoes.The truck, owned by Robert Neill of Dunning, was carrying wooden crates full of potatoes.
The accident happened at an automatic half barrier crossing but Network Rail said there was no indication that the accident was caused by faults to the barrier, although that would be investigated. It is thought the lorry slid in the snow and ice as it was approaching the level crossing and then the driver could not get the vehicle free.
The lorry involved in the crash was carrying potatoes Moments later the single engine locomotive crashed into the lorry.
It was not known if weather conditions were a factor in the accident, but that would also be investigated. A spokesperson for Direct Rail Services, which operated the railway engine, said: "At approximately 0645 GMT this morning, a Direct Rail Services locomotive travelling northbound was reported to have struck a stationery vehicle at White Moss Level Crossing, near Aucthterarder.
Network Rail spokesman Craig Bowman told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme that rail travellers should expect significant disruption. "The single engine locomotive was on route to Inverness to facilitate a winter snow clearing operation for Network Rail.
He said: "It's the main route between Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness so there will be a knock-on to services. Wooden crates and potatoes spilled from the lorry onto the tracks
"We're looking to clear that up as soon as we can over the course of the day but obviously we will have to investigate the condition of the track and clear the debris from the line." "DRS's driver, who acted with great professionalism during the incident, was taken to hospital having sustained minor injuries."
The London to Inverness sleeper had been due about 15 minutes after the crash. The police said that they could have been dealing with multiple injuries if it had been involved in the collision.
The sleeper was stopped at Gleneagles and the 48 passengers were bussed to Inverness.
One passenger said: "We were alerted there was an accident about 0730 GMT and were told that we weren't the accident, so that was very lucky.
"We were given breakfast and hot drinks so I was very comfortable."
"It was organised and dealt with well."
Train services have been disrupted while the accident is cleared up and investigated.
Passengers travelling between Dunblane and Perth, and those heading to Inverness, are being put onto buses instead.
Services to Aberdeen are being diverted via Fife, which will add about 45 minutes to the journey.
The road leading to the level crossing is expected to be closed for the next week while repairs are carried out.