Chelford rail accident
 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (February 2018) |
| Chelford rail accident | |
|---|---|
| Details | |
| Date | 22 December 1894 16:44 |
| Location | Chelford, Cheshire |
| Country | England |
| Line | London and North Western Railway |
| Cause | A high-sided wagon was moved by the wind in the path of others. |
| Statistics | |
| Trains | 2 |
| Deaths | 14 |
| Injured | 48 |
| List of UK rail accidents by year | |
The Chelford rail accident occurred on 22 December 1894 at Chelford railway station.[1] The stationmaster was supervising shunting operations, during which a high-sided wagon was fly-shunted (i.e. run-off) into a siding in strong winds and rapidly fading light. As another six wagons were being run onto an adjoining track, the stationmaster saw the high-sided wagon being blown out of its siding by the wind to meet them.[2] A collision occurred derailing the runaway in such a way that it fouled the main line just as the 16:15 Manchester to Crewe express approached, drawn by two locomotives, LNWR Waterloo Class 2-4-0 No 418 Zygia and Experiment Class No 518 Express.[1] The stationmaster ran towards them waving a red lamp but the drivers thought he was signalling to the shunters and did not reduce speed. Zygia derailed and fell on her side whilst her tender ran up the platform ramp. Express remained upright but the first carriage demolished the front of a signal box. In all, 14 passengers were killed and 48 injured.[3]
The inquiry had little comment to make as this seemed to be a freak accident but advised that in the future the brakes of all shunted wagons should be immediately pinned down.[4]
A contemporary photo supposedly shows the re-railed damaged locomotive Zygia shortly after the accident.[5]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Marindin 1895, p. 83
- ^ Marindin 1895, p. 92
- ^ Marindin 1895, p. 93
- ^ Marindin 1895, p. 95
- ^ "Manchester Ship Canal Archive Photographs". Retrieved 7 November 2017.[unreliable source?]
Sources
[edit]- Rolt, L.T.C.; Kichenside, Geoffrey (1982) [1955]. Red for Danger (4th ed.). Newton Abbot: David & Charles. pp. 184–186. ISBN 0-7153-8362-0.
- Marindin, Major F.A. (18 January 1895). BOT Accident Report Chelford 1894 (PDF). London: Board of Trade. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
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- Railway accidents and incidents in Cheshire
- Railway accidents in 1894
- 1894 in England
- History of Cheshire
- Accidents and incidents involving London and North Western Railway
- Runaway train disasters
- 19th century in Cheshire
- Derailments in England
- December 1894 events
- Train collisions in England
- 1894 disasters in the United Kingdom