Track safety has been under examination

The report reveals there were 139 train incidents in Scotland between April 1999 and April 2000 - the majority caused by vandals.

That compares with 146 train incidents the previous year.

These included the derailment of a busy passenger train at Bucksburn, near Aberdeen, last September.

Kevin Russell was last month sentenced to two years' detention after he was found guilty of culpable and reckless conduct in relation to that incident.

He allowed a dumper truck to roll onto the track, causing the train to derail.

Four people were hurt, including the driver, in the incident.

Deaths increase

Mr Kerr's report showed there were 64 incidents of missiles being thrown at trains and a total of 54 incidents of obstructions being placed on the line.

During the last year, 25 people were killed on Scotland's railways - four of them were trespassers while 21 deaths were recorded as suicides.

This was seven more deaths than during the previous year although the increase is attributed entirely to a rise in suicides.

Mr Kerr said: "I am pleased to announce that no passenger or employee was killed last year on Scotland's railways.

"None the less, the number of people who died on our railways as a result of trespass and suicide is of great concern and it is an issue we are working closely with our partner agencies to address.

Track repairs

"In my view vandalism is a very serious threat to the safety of railway passengers and staff and remains the biggest problem the railway faces."

Mr Kerr added: "HMRI remain concerned about the condition of infrastructure and in Scotland inspectors have been paying particular attention to track maintenance standards."

Action was taken following investigations into the derailment of 29 four-wheel hopper wagons of a coal train north of Kirkconnel, Dumfries and Galloway, in January and following the derailment of a goods train at Addiewell, near West Calder.

In these cases urgent attention to the track was needed and Railtrack were required to enforce immediate speed restrictions.