Aaron O’Halloran, 31, caused £23,000 worth of damage to the railway and left rush hour commuters delayed for up to eight hours.
O’Halloran was caught after fleeing the car but mistakenly leaving his mobile phone behind, which British Transport Police (BTP) officers used to trace him.
He drove through a gate at Duddeston Station in Birmingham before travelling towards Aston.
Footage released by BTP shows O’Halloran hurtling down the tracks at about 7.30am on 9 May this year.
It was “immensely dangerous” and caused “significant risk” to passengers, BTP Detective Inspector Raymond Ascott said.
Fortunately no one was hurt during the incident.
O’Halloran, of Thornbury Road, Handsworth, was convicted of endangering people on the railway, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and using a vehicle without insurance.
O’Halloran refused to comment on the incident when quizzed by police – but denied he was driving the car, despite being shown the CCTV.
He was jailed at Birmingham Crown Court on August 23, when he was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £156.
Det Insp Ascott said: “This was an immensely dangerous and senseless act by O’Halloran which caused significant risk to passengers and damage to the railway.
“The sentence handed to him reflects the severity of this crime and we are thankful no one was injured as a result of O’Halloran’s alarming behaviour.
“He’ll now have plenty of time to reflect on his idiotic actions in prison.”
Chesthunt
This was two months before a driver sped away from police by hurtling down an open train track also.
Shocked bystanders waiting for the next train watch in horror as the black vehicle hurtles past them.
Police say they were made aware that a stolen vehicle had travelled into Hertfordshire from Essex at around 9.30am today (July 15).
The car was located but when officers attempted to speak to the driver, it sped off – injuring two officers in the process.
It was then driven down the train line of nearby Cheshunt station in Hertfordshire before being dumped and the driver still hasn’t been found.
A spokesperson for Hertfordshire Constabulary said: “The vehicle made off, injuring two officers and damaging several vehicles in the process.
“Officers from Hertfordshire also attended to assist with the search and the vehicle was found abandoned on nearby train tracks, in Windmill Lane.
“A search of the area is currently being carried out to locate the driver and officers are working alongside British Transport Police to recover the vehicle. It was not struck by a train at any point.
The two officers injured did not require hospital treatment and are “being supported at this time”.
The incident caused travel chaos across the region with Cheshunt station being closed by police and no trains running on the line.
All lines have now reopened. Services between Liverpool Street and Bishop’s Stortford, Hertford East, Stansted Airport and Cambridge are now able to run.
“Officers attended the scene alongside colleagues from colleagues from Hertfordshire Police and Essex Police and assisted with a search to locate the driver,” a spokesperson said.
“The vehicle has now been removed from the tracks.”
