Goswick rail crash

The Goswick rail crash occurred on 27 October 1947. The Flying Scotsman express from Edinburgh Waverley to London Kings Cross failed to slow down for a diversion and derailed. 27 people were killed. 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 main fast line to a goods loop at Goswick, Northumberland, between Berwick-upon-Tweed and Morpeth, because of engineering work on the fast line. However, the driver failed to respond to the signals in advance of the diversion and took the 15 mph restricted turnout at approximately 60 mph. The engine, A3 Class No. 66 "Merry Hampton", and most of the train derailed and overturned.

The driver, fireman and guard had all, for various reasons, failed to read the notice of the diversion posted at Haymarket depot. The driver, who was held principally at fault, had also taken 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 was at clear to allow the train to draw up slowly to the points; the signalman could not judge the speed of the train until it was too late, and was exonerated of any blame. The Automatic Warning System, if installed, would almost certainly have prevented the disaster.

A similar accident occurred two years earlier at Bourne End, Hertfordshire.

Similar accidents

* Bourne End rail crash - overspeed through turnout
* Jokela rail crash - Finland
* ‎flagicon|United Kingdom Milton rail crash‎ - England

See also

* List of rail accidents
* List of British rail accidents
* Books on British railway accidents

References

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* [http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/eventsummary.php?eventID=717 Railways Archive account, including official Accident Report]