Podcast: Signals to Danger - Railway disasters in the UK

Very interesting roundup Dan, especially the bit on WCR. There credibility is very suspect when they talk about how safe there operations are considering how many time there derogation has been suspended. Not too mention the Wooton Basset incident.

Strathclyder said:

Will definitely be giving this one a listen, given it's promixity to me and the fact I've passed through that junction - still largely the same as it was in 1989, contrasting markedly with how Newton Junction has changed since 1991 - countless times.

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Finally got around to listening to this episode a few nights ago, and it was a compelling, absorbing listen. I had no idea (unless I somehow overlooked it) that the driver of the Milngavie-Springburn 303 (the train that ran through the red platform signal) later sued for damages against BR.

I also listened to the Ufton Nevert, Eccles (1984) & Hixon episodes as well. The pictures of the damage done to 45147 at Eccles always make me shudder.

The James St episode I'll need to steel myself for though. As @Cowley noted in a previous post, it's beyond tragic and I can't begin to imagine what it was like for the poor girl's family, friends and everyone else who got caught up in it.

Dan, I've a few incidents in mind that may you may interested in covering if it's at all possible, but I think you mentioned in one episode that of these may be getting a episode to itself in the future:

• Tay Bridge (December 1879)
• Armagh (June 1889)
• Moorgate (February 1975)
• Newton, South Lanarkshire (July 1991)
• Greenock (June 1994)
• Largs (July 1995)
• Falls of Cruachan (June 2010)

Given it's far-reaching impact and legacy that's still felt to this day, the Tay Bridge collapse and it's aftermath may merit similar treatment to Ladbroke Grove and Carmont: a two/three parter. Not sure if light rail/metro systems are in your remit though, which would discount Moorgate.

Reopened to enable @Royston Vasey to post an update

Great news in a week of bad news. Dan has today posted a Flash Briefing on the Elstow collision in his usual personable but meticulous style, I recommend it highly as he talks through the accident and the factors around it.

Thank you for this in a difficult week @tpfx89! Hoping to hear a new series soon

Link here, apologies https://signalstodanger.com/blog/

What caused two passenger trains to collide on one of Britain’s busiest main lines? After a break from the podcast, we return to discuss last weeks collision at Elstow. With the first RAIB findings now published, we break down the known facts, the safety systems involved, and the key questions that remain unanswered.

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With the discussion on the Daily Express dumbing down and at the other end of the spectrum the necessary complexity of the sequence of events, I recommend it as a digestible and factual, well explained account that rightly doesn't make any conclusions, but clearly sets out the facts and useful context.

I would also recommend to curious non-experts on the forum and people with absolutely no railway knowledge who might want to know where to understand more.

Royston Vasey said:

Great news in a week of bad news. Dan has today posted a Flash Briefing on the Elstow collision in his usual personable but meticulous style, I recommend it highly as he talks through the accident and the factors around it.

Thank you for this in a difficult week @tpfx89! Hoping to hear a new series soon

Link here, apologies https://signalstodanger.com/blog/

With the discussion on the Daily Express dumbing down and at the other end of the spectrum the necessary complexity of the sequence of events, I recommend it as a digestible and factual, well explained account that rightly doesn't make any conclusions, but clearly sets out the facts and useful context. I would also recommend to curious non-experts on the forum and people with absolutely no railway knowledge who might want to know where to understand more.

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Well I certainly appreciate the feedback, pretty conscious of the speculation that's taking place, but also that much of that is coming from a desire for people to understand the incident. Hoped I'd be able to pull together the facts to date in a way which maybe painted a more complete picture for people.