An internal investigation is under way after the engine of a steam train derailed, leaving more than 100 passengers stranded at Lydney Junction station.
 
The incident, which caused damage to the engine and track, put the Dean Forest Railway's Pannier locomotive out of service last Wednesday.
 
At the time the engine was not attached to the carriages and was in the process of being uncoupled and pulled around to be reattached at the other end.
 
One passenger said, "When someone told us the train's engine had derailed we thought they were pulling our leg but we looked out the window and saw that it had completely come off the tracks!"
 
He added, "Staff did try to take the train back to Parkend pulled by a diesel loco, but the line controller vetoed this because further damage may have been caused."
 
No one knows why the engine came off the tracks but chairman Peter Adams said the warm weather may have been a factor.
 
"It was a very hot day and heat may have caused the metal to expand," he said.
 
The next day the engine was taken in to be repaired and checked over in a bid to establish the cause.
 
Peter said, "Some of the brake rigging has to be straightened out because it was pushed down into the dirt, putting a lot of weight onto the front."
 
After an hour of waiting another train was organized to take all ticket holders back to Norchard.
 
Commercial director Robert Morris stressed there was no danger to passengers but the incident is being investigated.
 
Chairman Peter Adams said, "I take overall responsibility for the incident. We dealt with it as swiftly as we could, and all staff acted efficiently. Our main concern was the safety of the passengers."
 
The following weekend the railway was unable to operate its full Mixed Traffic weekend due to the slow speed derailment and had to revise its timetable.
 
Services for next weekend will not be affected.
 
Author unknown.