Goswick rail crash: Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 10:58, 26 September 2021
This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (June 2015) |
Goswick rail crash | |
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Details | |
Date | 26 October 1947 12:47 |
Location | Goswick, Northumberland |
Coordinates | 55°42′18″N 1°55′37″W / 55.705°N 1.927°W |
Country | England |
Line | East Coast Main Line |
Operator | London and North Eastern Railway |
Incident type | Derailment caused by excessive speed |
Cause | Driver's error |
Statistics | |
Trains | 1 |
Passengers | 420 |
Deaths | 28 |
Injured | 65 |
List of UK rail accidents by year |
The Goswick rail crash occurred on 26 October 1947 near the village of Goswick, Northumberland, England. The Flying Scotsman express from Edinburgh Waverley to London King's Cross failed to slow down for a diversion and derailed. Twenty-eight people were killed, including the talented Scottish biochemist, John Masson Gulland.[1] It was the last major accident to occur on British railways before their nationalisation on 1 January 1948.
Overview
The train was scheduled to divert from the fast line to a goods loop at Goswick, Northumberland, between Berwick-upon-Tweed and Morpeth, because of engineering work. This required a significant reduction in speed, but the driver failed to react to a cautionary signal approaching the diversion and the train entered a 15 miles per hour (24 km/h) turnout at approximately 60 miles per hour (97 km/h). The engine, A3 Class No. 66 "Merry Hampton", and most of the train derailed and overturned.
The driver, fireman and guard had all failed to read the notice of the diversion posted at Haymarket depot. The driver, who was held principally at fault, had also allowed an unauthorised passenger on to the footplate who may have distracted his attention. He claimed to have missed the distant signal due to smoke from the engine obscuring his view. The home signal had been cleared to allow the train to draw up slowly to the points, but the signalman was exonerated because he could not judge the speed of the train until it was too late.
A similar accident occurred two years earlier at Bourne End, Hertfordshire.
Similar accidents
- Bourne End rail crash - overspeed through turnout
- Jokela rail crash - Finland
- Milton rail crash - England
See also
References
- ^ Cook, J. W. (1 January 1948). "Obituary Notice (John Masson Gulland, 1898–1947)". Biochemical Journal. 43 (2): 161–162. doi:10.1042/bj0430161. ISSN 0264-6021. PMC 1274658. PMID 16748379.
- Rolt, L.T.C. (1956). Red for Danger. Bodley Head / David and Charles / Pan Books.
- Hamilton, J.A.B. (1967). British Railway Accidents of the 20th Century (reprinted as Disaster down the Line). George Allen and Unwin / Javelin Books.
- Railways Archive account, including official Accident Report
External links
- Railway accidents and incidents in Northumberland
- Railway accidents in 1947
- 1947 in England
- History of Northumberland
- 20th century in Northumberland
- Derailments in England
- Accidents and incidents involving London and North Eastern Railway
- 1947 disasters in the United Kingdom
- October 1947 events
- Rail accidents caused by a driver's error