THE European Commission is to investigate the way some trains operated by York rail companies still dump toilet waste on to the tracks.

East Coast and Grand Central’s older rolling stock discharge sewage on to the East Coast Mainline route because, unlike their more modern trains, they are not fitted with waste storage tanks.

Some of Northern Rail’s trains are also affected.

East Coast said that of its fleet of 43 trains on the route from London to Edinburgh via York, 13 were diesels, which discharge sewage.

Grand Central said the problem related to three out of its eight trains on the company’s two routes to London, from Sunderland via York and Bradford.

Track workers were said to have complained that they had been sprayed by foul-smelling liquid as trains passed at speed.

Network Rail said it would like tanks fitted if possible, because of the possible consequences for people working and living near tracks, but recognised the difficulties posed.

A spokesman for the European Commission said it was investigating the matter and was liaising with the UK government.

An East Coast spokesman said waste storage tanks were fitted to all its electric trains, which formed a majority of its East Coast fleet.

“Our diesel trains, which do not have storage tanks, will be replaced in the medium term by the next generation of rolling stock which will have storage tanks fitted as standard,” he said.

“We have considered implementing a retrospective fitting of retention tanks to our diesel trains.

“However, this is not feasible due to the relatively short projected lifespan of these trains.”

A Grand Central spokesman said a decision on whether to fit such tanks would be made by the train leasing companies, taking into account whether and when older trains were to be replaced altogether. Northern Rail said it operated a large, complex fleet of trains, ranging in age from seven to 25 years old, and was continuing to work with Network Rail to reduce track contamination.

A spokeswoman said it had retro-fitted its 158 fleet, used on the York to Blackpool North route, with “controlled emission toilets” which allowed waste to be pumped out at depots rather than flushed on to the tracks.