Rednal rail crash
| Rednal rail crash | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Details | |
| Date | 7 June 1865 |
| Location | Rednal station, Shropshire, England, United Kingdom |
| Line | Shrewsbury to Chester Line |
| Cause | Derailment due to excessive speed |
| Statistics | |
| Trains | 1 |
| Deaths | 13 |
| Injured | 30 |
Rednal rail crash was a rail accident that took place near Rednal station in Shropshire, England, United Kingdom.
On 7 June 1865 a permanent way 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 up 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 vans and hauled by two locomotives. A further 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 only being applied when the workmen were sighted, but it was far 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 completely destroyed, killing 11 passengers and 2 train crew.
The enquiry, while criticizing the lack of braking power on such a massive train, laid most criticism on the inadequate protection of the permanent way work, which should be supplemented by detonators.
Sources
- Rolt, L.T.C.; Kichenside, Geoffrey (1982) [1955]. Red for Danger (4th ed.). Newton Abbot: David & Charles. p. 126–127. ISBN 0-7153-8362-0.
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External links
- Accident Returns: Extract for Accident at Rednal on 7 June 1865
- Engraved plate taken from the The Illustrated London News