Rednal rail crash
Rednal rail crash | |
---|---|
Details | |
Date | 7 June 1865 |
Location | Shrewsbury to Chester Line |
Cause | Derailment due to excessive speed |
Statistics | |
Trains | 1 |
Deaths | 13 |
Injured | 30 |
List of UK rail accidents by year |
The Rednal rail crash was a rail accident that occurred near Rednal station in Shropshire.
On 7 June 1865 a
When the train reached Whittington it began to gain speed on the gradient, but the driver of the front locomotive did not see the flag warning of the work ahead. The brakes were applied when the workmen were sighted, but it was too late to stop such a heavy train. The lead locomotive derailed on the unsupported track, but continued along the ballast until it reached points outside Rednal station where it ran off the rails and turned over. The extreme weight of the following train meant that the first four carriages were destroyed completely, killing 11 passengers and two train crew.
The enquiry, while criticizing the lack of braking power on such a massive train, blamed mainly the inadequate protection of the permanent way work, which should be supplemented by detonators.
Sources
- ISBN 0-7153-8362-0.