A PLANNED steam train run through the Forest is in doubt because the company which supplies the locomotive is being investigated.

Ex-GWR loco Ashton Rood Hall is due to head a train from the Midlands to Cardiff via Chepstow on Saturday, March 19.

But the company running the Red Dragon excursion, Vintage Trains, has suspended bookings because of an investigation into West Coast Railways.

Vintage Trains relies on West Coast Railways to run the trains but that company’s licence to operate is being reviewed by the Office of Road and Rail.

It followed an incident at Doncaster in October 2015 where staff on a steam locomotive turned off the train protection and warning system which applies the emergency brake if the driver makes an error.

A spokesman for Vintage Trains said: “Until we know the outcome of this matter we think that it would not be right to accept any further bookings on our railtours until we are confident we are able to operate them.

“We hope the situation with West Coast Railways is resolved in time to operate these trains.”