DEADLY WAGONS BACK ON TRACKS; Fury at rail firm's U-turn.

Byline: NATHAN YATES

RAILMEN reacted with fury last night as bosses lifted their ban on "killer trolleys" less than a week after the Tebay tragedy.

Union officials were staggered by the decision to bring back the wagons blamed for four deaths.

Earlier, safety experts revealed the crash trailer's brakes didn't work.

Mick Cash, of the Rail Maritime and Transport union, said: "Our members are furious. It's staggering.

"The funerals of some of those killed are being held this weekend. How insensitive do you have to be to make such a decision now?"

Four workers were killed when a trolley careered down the side of Shap Fell in Cumbria on Sunday.

The wagon, carrying 20 tons of material, reached speeds of 45mph as it bore down on a group of labourers.

It later emerged there was a similar incident in the area a year ago.

"We believe there are serious question marks over their safety," added Mr Cash. The vehicle had been held in place by two pieces of wood.

It had brakes but yesterday British Transport Police said that "the brakes fitted to the vehicle, which should have secured it, were not functional".

"Why they were not is the focus of the continuing investigation."

Colin Buckley, 49, Darren Burgess, 30, both of Carnforth, Lancs, Chris Waters, 53, of Morecambe, Lancs, and Gary Tindall, 46, of Tebay, Cumbria lost their lives in the accident.

A joint investigation into the accident by the BTP and the Health and Safety Executive is continuing.

Network Rail agreed to ban road rail vehicles pending an investigation.

But the privatised company has decided to bring them back.

Last night, though, a spokesman for Network Rail insisted "stringent and effective" measures had been put in place to make sure they were safe.

He said it would be a number of weeks before they were all back on the network because of testing.