The scene where they throw red roses onto the rail tracks is a real event that occurs on the yearly anniversary of the disaster to commemorate those whose lives were lost. Surviving victims, relatives and friends of the victims, and rescue personnel attended every year.
The inspiration for the last scene, where the actual characters dropped the roses onto the track, came from the last scene of 'Schindlers List' where the stones were placed on Schindlers grave.
Dr White is the only fictional character and is based on an amalgam of several doctors at the crash site.
The train used in the movie is a real 46 class loco. They served for many years after the accident, with the final trains not removed from service till 1996. 5 locomotives are preserved in rail collections.