A TRAIN company has admitted its doors and braking systems have been affected by icy weather, as well as its horns.

But First TransPennine Express (FTPE) insisted passenger safety had not been jeopardised, as the trains had a failsafe system which brings them to a standstill in the event of brake failure.

The Press revealed last month how horns on the company’s Class 185 trains, which take passengers from York to Scarborough, Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool, had repeatedly failed to work properly during freezing weather, both this winter and last winter.

Leaked documents showed drivers had repeatedly filed “defect slips”, logging complaints about horns.

Unions claimed the problems were risking the lives of people including trackside workers, but the company said safety was its top priority, and blamed the problem on the exceptionally cold weather.

Now further leaked memos have shown that two more drivers complained about their horns in late January, when the weather was less cold.

FTPE Engineering director Nick Donovan said today that for reasons FTPE did not fully understand, a build-up of snow and ice in and around the compressor air inlets had caused complete blockages.

This affected any systems on the trains which relied on compressed air, including the doors, horns and brakes. However, any brake problem caused a “failsafe interlock”, which brought the train to a standstill.

Shaun Brady, general secretary of the ACTU rail union, said he found it “very disturbing” that doors and braking systems were affected as well as the horns, claiming the door problem might hinder passengers trying to get out after an incident.

But a FTPE spokesman said passengers had not been affected getting on or off. “Modifications are being carried out to the air inlets to reduce the likelihood of snow build-up in the future,” he said, adding that FTPE had received many compliments after the bad weather for the fact its trains had been running, when other forms of transport had not.

He said the two horn problems in late January were promptly attended to, with full “test and remedial action” taken to restore them to full working order.

"Management of the risks are a train operating company’s responsibility, however ORR will always take action when a train operator fails to meet its health and safety obligations."

However, he said that after receiving information, it was discussing the horn problems with FTPE to ensure it was meeting its obligations.