A LOCOMOTIVE involved in the Selby and Hatfield crashes is to be back on the North-East's railtracks in the New Year.

GNER has confirmed that Engine 91023, which by coincidence powered both passenger trains, had been through a maintenance programme and would be back in operation soon.

A spokesman said it had been checked out for damage and there was nothing wrong with it.

The locomotive was pulling when the rear of the train slipped off the rails at Hatfield, causing the accident that claimed four lives.

At Great Heck, it was pushing from the back as the Newcastle to London express crashed into Gary Hart's Land Rover, killing ten people.

Following the crash it was the only part of the GNER train left on the track.

A GNER spokesman said last night it was perfectly safe to reuse engines and carriages after crashes provided they were not seriously damaged and had been properly repaired.