Rednal rail crash
Encyclopedia
Rednal rail crash was a rail accident that occurred near Rednal station
in Shropshire
.
On 7 June 1865 a permanent way (groundwork and rails) gang were lifting and packing the "up" line 600 yards north of Rednal station
on a 1 in 132 gradient that falls from Whittington
. A green flag had been set 1100 yards away at the top of the incline as a warning. At 12:29 an excursion train from Birkenhead
left Chester
for Shrewsbury
consisting of 28 coaches and two brake van
s and hauled by two locomotives. An additional four coaches were added at Gobowen
.
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 road and turned over. The extreme weight of the following train meant that the first four carriages were destroyed completely, killing 11 passengers and 2 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 detonator
s.
Rednal and West Felton railway station
Rednal & West Felton railway station was a minor station on the GWR’s Paddington to Birkenhead main line. Today this is part of the Shrewsbury to Chester line...
in Shropshire
Shropshire
Shropshire is a county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. It borders Wales to the west...
.
On 7 June 1865 a permanent way (groundwork and rails) gang were lifting and packing the "up" line 600 yards north of Rednal station
Rednal and West Felton railway station
Rednal & West Felton railway station was a minor station on the GWR’s Paddington to Birkenhead main line. Today this is part of the Shrewsbury to Chester line...
on a 1 in 132 gradient that falls from Whittington
Whittington Low Level railway station
Whittington Low Level railway station was a minor station on the GWR’s Paddington to Birkenhead main line. Today this is part of the Shrewsbury to Chester line. An automatic level crossing lies just to the north of the old station site...
. A green flag had been set 1100 yards away at the top of the incline as a warning. At 12:29 an excursion train from Birkenhead
Birkenhead
Birkenhead is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral in Merseyside, England. It is on the Wirral Peninsula, along the west bank of the River Mersey, opposite the city of Liverpool...
left Chester
Chester
Chester is a city in Cheshire, England. Lying on the River Dee, close to the border with Wales, it is home to 77,040 inhabitants, and is the largest and most populous settlement of the wider unitary authority area of Cheshire West and Chester, which had a population of 328,100 according to the...
for Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury is the county town of Shropshire, in the West Midlands region of England. Lying on the River Severn, it is a civil parish home to some 70,000 inhabitants, and is the primary settlement and headquarters of Shropshire Council...
consisting of 28 coaches and two brake van
Brake van
Brake van and guard's van are terms used mainly in the UK, Australia and India for a railway vehicle equipped with a hand brake which can be applied by the guard...
s and hauled by two locomotives. An additional four coaches were added at Gobowen
Gobowen
Gobowen is a large village in Shropshire, England, of population 3,927 .-History:The village was previously called Bryn-y-Castell, but the name in time changed to Gobowen. The name Gobowen is believed to originate from Gob and Owen who was believed to have rested his weary head there...
.
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 road and turned over. The extreme weight of the following train meant that the first four carriages were destroyed completely, killing 11 passengers and 2 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 detonator
Detonator (railway)
A railway detonator is a device used to make a loud sound as a warning signal to train drivers. The detonator is the size of a large coin with two lead straps, one on each side. The detonator is placed on the top of the rail and the straps are used to secure it...
s.
External links
- Accident Returns: Extract for Accident at Rednal on 7 June 1865
- Engraved plate taken from The Illustrated London News