by Julia Roberts

Southeastern trains have been fined £65,000 after an "out of control" train over-ran a platform by almost two-and-half miles.

Deputy Circuit Judge Andrew Patience QC said it was a "merciful piece of good fortune" that no one was killed or injured, and no damage was caused.

The company admitted two offences of failing to provide a safe system of work so as to ensure the health and safety of employees and the public.

The judge said the fines would have been in six figures if the consequences had been more serious or even "catastrophic".

"That train was out of control, all braking systems having failed," he added. "These were very serious breaches of duty."

The court heard the Charing Cross to Hastings train was scheduled to stop at Southgate Station in Sussex just after 7.30am on November 8 2010.

During adverse weather conditions, the trains rely on sandhoppers located in front of the wheels to increase friction between the steel wheels and the rails.

However, on this occasion the sand had run out, despite warnings that stocks were running low had been activated three days earlier.

The court was also told that the weather on November 8 was categorised as a "black day", meaning the most severe and low adhesion conditions were prevailing.

"This was an extremely serious state of affairs, bearing in mind the potential risk to life and limb if a train had no assistance in adverse weather conditions in its efforts to brake," remarked the judge.

The train had divided at Tonbridge and was heading towards Hastings when the over-run occurred.

Judge Patience said no criticism could be made of the driver, who had no "low sand" indicators in his cab, and had gone through three levels of braking and into an emergency state in his efforts to bring the train to a halt.

He also managed to warn the signaller ahead to Robertsbridge station. The train eventually stopped 2.43miles beyond Stonegate.

However, due to an inaccurate report by the signaller that the train had only over-run by "about 200 yards" the train was not taken out of service until three days later, and had continued without sandhoppers being refilled on both sides.

Measures have since been taken by Southeastern to ensure improved procedures are in place, including indicators in the train cab.

Judge Patience said he was both "surprised and disturbed" to hear that this has not been undertaken by any other train company.

He added that he therefore hoped the publicity of this case would be "considered seriously" by other operators.

The judge also said it was "quite clear" that senior managers at Southeastern were dedicated to maintenance and raising safety standards, a contention supported by railway union Aslef.

Southeastern was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of just over £22,589. The court was told the total would be paid within 28 days.