1/I've been giving more thought to media coverage which either at worst directly implies Driver Brett McCullough was going too fast (he wasn't) or at best leaves the unpleasant whiff of the question hanging in the air. It does come from judging rail speeds as road speeds are

2/ judged - and that is the problem. A road speed LIMIT is the speed after which it is judged unsafe to drive. A railway LINESPEED is the speed at which a driver is EXPECTED to drive to keep his train punctual. Running times are calculated on the basis of these linespeeds, which

3/ drivers must seek to maintain if safe and possible. Drivers do not have routine discretion to run at any old speed they fancy! Sure, if there are circs demanding lower speeds that they see , of course they will run more slowly than they are expected to run. However,

4/ otherwise drivers will seek to maintain linespeed because that's what the timetable demands. And we know how the wider media reacts if trains run late! So, drivers will always aim for linespeed, trusting control/signalling to keep them safe and obeying clearly established

procedures to run more slowly if required. In this case, the same weather reports used nationwide to decide speed restrictions in high winds, or blistering heat were in use here and Scottish Transport Minister Michael Matheson repeatedly confirmed that all procedures were

6/ strictly followed. We have covered all this in the new RAIL but I elucidate here for clarity. Investigators will focus on all these things and make judgements for any changes they deem necessary. Pilots told by ATC to fly at 30,000ft fly at 30,000ft. They do as ordered - just

7/ like train drivers. It is similar command and control system. It would be chaos otherwise. Linespeeds are not the same thing as road speed limits and general journalists need to learn to at least ask about these things before hitting their keyboards. Over and out!

PS: Final very important thought. The fact that Brett McCullough was running at 72-73mph on section having a linespeed of 75mph is NOT indication he was 'pushing his luck' - it's clear proof of his professionalism. Running at or near the linespeed is a requirement, not a fault.