Warrington rail crash
Encyclopedia
The Warrington rail crash occurred on 29 June 1867 at Walton Junction, south of Warrington Bank Quay station
. The 10:23 from Liverpool to London collided with a coal train, killing 8 people and injuring 33 more.
The passenger train was running 10 minutes late and left Warrington Bank Quay station at 11:35. Approaching Walton Junction the driver saw the coal train ahead of him, being shunted onto the Chester
line but 'did not slacken speed, not doubting that the way would be clear' but when the points were reached the passenger train was diverted off the main line and into the rear of the coal train. Five people were killed at the scene, three others died later of their injuries, and 33 were injured. The pointsman in charge of the points was later charged with manslaughter.
The coroner gave the following verdict "We are unanimously of opinion that the deceased came to their deaths by neglect of duty on the part of John Rowson, pointsman, and at the same time we wish to recommend to the railway company the adoption of a new system of signalling and points at Walton Junction."
The Board of Trade
enquiry recommended the interlocking
of points and signals.
Warrington Bank Quay railway station
Warrington Bank Quay railway station is a mainline railway station serving the UK town of Warrington. The town centre has two stations on opposite sides of the main shopping area, Warrington Central operating a more frequent service to the neighbouring cities Liverpool and Manchester...
. The 10:23 from Liverpool to London collided with a coal train, killing 8 people and injuring 33 more.
The passenger train was running 10 minutes late and left Warrington Bank Quay station at 11:35. Approaching Walton Junction the driver saw the coal train ahead of him, being shunted onto the Chester
Chester railway station
Chester railway station is a railway station in Newtown in the city of Chester, England. It is currently operated by Arriva Trains Wales, although Merseyrail, Northern Rail and Virgin Trains also run services from the station. It is situated to the north-east of the city centre...
line but 'did not slacken speed, not doubting that the way would be clear' but when the points were reached the passenger train was diverted off the main line and into the rear of the coal train. Five people were killed at the scene, three others died later of their injuries, and 33 were injured. The pointsman in charge of the points was later charged with manslaughter.
The coroner gave the following verdict "We are unanimously of opinion that the deceased came to their deaths by neglect of duty on the part of John Rowson, pointsman, and at the same time we wish to recommend to the railway company the adoption of a new system of signalling and points at Walton Junction."
The Board of Trade
Board of Trade
The Board of Trade is a committee of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom, originating as a committee of inquiry in the 17th century and evolving gradually into a government department with a diverse range of functions...
enquiry recommended the interlocking
Interlocking
In railway signalling, an interlocking is an arrangement of signal apparatus that prevents conflicting movements through an arrangement of tracks such as junctions or crossings. The signalling appliances and tracks are sometimes collectively referred to as an interlocking plant...
of points and signals.
Sources
- Official Accident report
- The TimesThe TimesThe Times is a British daily national newspaper, first published in London in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register . The Times and its sister paper The Sunday Times are published by Times Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary since 1981 of News International...
1867 :- July 1 page 10 "Dreadful Railway Accident"
- July 2 page 12 "The Accident near Warrington"
- July 6 page 14 "The Fatal Railway Collision at Warrington"
- July 10 page 5 "The Fatal Railway Collision near Warrington"