1906 Salisbury rail crash: Difference between revisions
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In the '''Salisbury rail crash''' of [[30 June]], [[1906]], a [[London and South Western Railway]] express train from [[Plymouth]] to [[Waterloo station|London Waterloo]] failed to take a very sharp curve at the eastern end of [[Salisbury |
In the '''Salisbury rail crash''' of [[30 June]], [[1906]], a [[London and South Western Railway]] express train from [[Plymouth]] to [[Waterloo station|London Waterloo]] failed to take a very sharp curve at the eastern end of [[Salisbury station]]. The curve had a [[speed limit]] of 30 mph, but the express had been travelling at over 70 mph. The train was completely [[derail|derailed]], and smashed into a [[milk]] train, killing 28 people. |
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== Overview == |
== Overview == |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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* [http://danger-ahead.railfan.net/accidents/salisbry.htm Salisbury (1906)] - description of the crash on the ''Danger Ahead'' historic railway disasters website. |
* [http://danger-ahead.railfan.net/accidents/salisbry.htm Salisbury (1906)] - description of the crash on the ''Danger Ahead'' historic railway disasters website. |
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* [http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/BoT_Salisbury1906.pdf] - Official Board of Trade report (1906). |
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[[Category:Railway accidents in England]] |
[[Category:Railway accidents in England]] |
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Revision as of 20:16, 10 August 2008
In the Salisbury rail crash of 30 June, 1906, a London and South Western Railway express train from Plymouth to London Waterloo failed to take a very sharp curve at the eastern end of Salisbury station. The curve had a speed limit of 30 mph, but the express had been travelling at over 70 mph. The train was completely derailed, and smashed into a milk train, killing 28 people.
Overview
The accident occurred at the same time as a short cut of the rival Great Western Railway was opening, and it was claimed that the driver of the crashed train was trying to show that his railway was capable of competitive speeds. It was also rumoured that passengers - mostly rich New Yorkers travelling to London from the transatlantic port at Plymouth - had bribed the driver to run the train as fast as possible, but there was no evidence of this, and if anything the train had lost time earlier. Conversely, it was stated that drivers often ran through Salisbury very fast on these trains to "get a run" at the following hill. The engine was a new "L12" 4-4-0 with a higher centre of gravity than the earlier "T9" class. The most likely cause of the accident is that the driver simply did not realise the level of risk he was running. Also, steam locomotives at this time, and for half a century afterwards, were not fitted with speedometers.
As a result of the crash, all trains were required to stop at Salisbury station from that point onwards, and the speed limit on the curve east of Salisbury was reduced to 15 mph. This limit is still in force today.
The accident was the first of a series of three derailments due to excessive speed at night in a year, the others being Grantham 1906 and Shrewsbury 1907. The results were the same but the causes were different.
See also
References
- Hamilton., J.A.B. British Railway Accidents of the 20th Century (reprinted as Tracks to Disaster).
- Nock, O.S. (1980). Historic Railway Disasters (2nd ed. ed.). Ian Allan.
{{cite book}}:|edition=has extra text (help) - Rolt, L.T.C. (1956 (and later editions)). Red for Danger. Bodley Head / David and Charles / Pan Books.
{{cite book}}: Check date values in:|year=(help)CS1 maint: year (link)
Similar accidents
Amagasaki rail crash - 2005 - Overspeed through sharp curve.
External links
- Salisbury (1906) - description of the crash on the Danger Ahead historic railway disasters website.
- [1] - Official Board of Trade report (1906).