A memorial to the victims was erected close to the crash site

The rail company was fined on Monday after admitting two breaches of health and safety law relating to the crash, which killed 31 people.

The �2m fine imposed at the Old Bailey will be paid to the government.

The solicitor for Pam Warren, who was badly burnt in the crash, called for it to be used to set up a victims' fund.

"It's a bit odd the Government should get the money when it set up Thames Trains in the first place," said Bernard Clarke.

"The money ought to be used to set up some sort of fund for those injured in and bereaved by the crash."

I fear that a �2m fine will not have much impact on a company that's fairly wealthy Louise Christian Solicitor

Louise Christian, who represented other Paddington families, questioned the impact of the fine.

"The sum of �2m is at least greater than the �1.5m that Great Western was fined over the (1997) Southall rail crash.

"But the problem is that all these train companies are subsidised out of the public purse and, if anything, a fine hits the company's shareholders and not the directors who make the decisions.

"I fear that a �2m fine will not have much impact on a company that's fairly wealthy."

Most of the victims are now receiving substantial insurance payouts after delays.

Terrifying details

Linda Dilieto, who lost her son Sam, said: "The money does not mean anything to us. It's not about money."

Earlier, the court heard the terrifying details of the crash from Pam Warren, from Reading, who set up the Paddington Rail Survivors group.

"I remember the fire hitting me. It felt incredibly hot and I could hear my hair crackling. There was also a noise like a gas igniting," she said in a statement read to the judge.

"I tried to get into a foetal position. I clasped my hands over my face. I don't recall screaming, but I may have done because I managed to burn the inside of my mouth and my throat."

Other statements read out included an account from Joanne Peart.

She said: "I was thrown across the carriage. It was a fireball, it went whoosh. People were shouting, screaming in panic."

Guilty plea

"Then all hell broke loose. A man came staggering out. He was on fire."

Crash survivor Janette Orr, who suffered injuries to her neck, back and foot, said Thames Trains deserved no credit for pleading guilty - the judge said he had cut the fine by a third in response to the firm's plea.

She said little had changed since the Paddington crash: "There are improvements, but only little. You are still packed in like cattle when the rush-hour comes and that is a great concern.