1949 Schools Class derailment at Paddock Wood

[2HAP]

On 16th March 1949, 30932 Blundells was derailed in a accident at Paddock Wood, Kent. Does anyone have any further information please?

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Derailment at Paddock Wood, 16th March 1949, involving Schools Class locomotive 'Blundells', No. 30932

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Seems to be a dearth of info on T'internet. Anyone got access to old newspaper archives.

Wasn't the end of loco 30932 though, which lasted until 1961.

 

[Merle Haggard]

As ever, the Railway Observer recorded it - no 242, April 1949.

'The loco of the 4-50 am London Bridge-Margate "Parly" which was derailed at Paddock Wood on 16/3/49 was 30932.
The loco fell right over on its left side, the tender being held at an angle of 45 degrees by the first coach, which remained on the rails. The Ashford and Bricklayers arms steam cranes were summoned and rerailed 30932 at 5 pm. Externally 30932 was only superficially damaged the most noticeable feature being that the left-hand smoke-deflector had to be removed before lifting commenced. it remained at paddock Wood until on 18th march when it was towed to Tonbridge by 1432.
30932 was the second locomotive to be derailed at the same trap points in two months, 781 having come off on 28/1/49'

 

[30907]

As ever, the Railway Observer recorded it - no 242, April 1949.

'The loco of the 4-50 am London Bridge-Margate "Parly" which was derailed at Paddock Wood on 16/3/49 was 30932.
The loco fell right over on its left side, the tender being held at an angle of 45 degrees by the first coach, which remained on the rails. The Ashford and Bricklayers arms steam cranes were summoned and rerailed 30932 at 5 pm. Externally 30932 was only superficially damaged the most noticeable feature being that the left-hand smoke-deflector had to be removed before lifting commenced. it remained at paddock Wood until on 18th march when it was towed to Tonbridge by 1432.
30932 was the second locomotive to be derailed at the same trap points in two months, 781 having come off on 28/1/49'

With that clue, looking at the box diagram https://www.s-r-s.org.uk/html/srb/R1539.htm
the trap points protect the down Maidstone line when leaving the platform loop. I think we may assume a SPAD.

 

[randyrippley]

As ever, the Railway Observer recorded it - no 242, April 1949.

'The loco of the 4-50 am London Bridge-Margate "Parly" which was derailed at Paddock Wood on 16/3/49 was 30932.
The loco fell right over on its left side, the tender being held at an angle of 45 degrees by the first coach, which remained on the rails. The Ashford and Bricklayers arms steam cranes were summoned and rerailed 30932 at 5 pm. Externally 30932 was only superficially damaged the most noticeable feature being that the left-hand smoke-deflector had to be removed before lifting commenced. it remained at paddock Wood until on 18th march when it was towed to Tonbridge by 1432.
30932 was the second locomotive to be derailed at the same trap points in two months, 781 having come off on 28/1/49'

In an accident like that where the whole engine was rotated onto its side, what were the consequences for the boiler? Presumably the fire couldn't be easily dumped and water levels would be all over the place. Would the fire just be allowed to burn out with subsequent firebox and boiler overheating?

 

[30907]

I would imagine the fire would be raked out promptly as best possible.

OT: I am fascinated that the 4.50am is described as a Parly in the RO. It was the only stopping train to take the old route via Redhill (the Dover Mails was the other), and I wonder if it was a long-standing semi-official name.
(Note: the modern use of Parliamentary to describe a service provided to avoid closure proceedings is different though derived from the original)

 

[Merle Haggard]

I would imagine the fire would be raked out promptly as best possible.

OT: I am fascinated that the 4.50am is described as a Parly in the RO. It was the only stopping train to take the old route via Redhill (the Dover Mails was the other), and I wonder if it was a long-standing semi-official name.
(Note: the modern use of Parliamentary to describe a service provided to avoid closure proceedings is different though derived from the original)

That's very interesting - I couldn't think of how to find out more about the service,
The RO did say 'Parly' not 'The Parly, the 4.50...' ; perhaps I'm thinking too deeply, but only the latter form would infer to me a specific train's title.

One thing puzzles me. Looking at the box diagram kindly provided by 30907, only a train heading to Maidstone would pass over the traps as they (I think!) protect the down through -> Maidstone route against a Maidstone train leaving the platform road. My understanding of SER/LCDR routes is poor, but wouldn't 30932's train have been routed towards Ashford, i.e. crossing out before reaching the traps?

 

[DelW]

In an accident like that where the whole engine was rotated onto its side, what were the consequences for the boiler? Presumably the fire couldn't be easily dumped and water levels would be all over the place. Would the fire just be allowed to burn out with subsequent firebox and boiler overheating?

Depending what happened to the water levels and the fire, I think it's possible that a fusible plug would melt and blow water into the firebox. Hopefully at that point the footplate crew would be out of the way.

 

[30907]

One thing puzzles me. Looking at the box diagram kindly provided by 30907, only a train heading to Maidstone would pass over the traps as they (I think!) protect the down through -> Maidstone route against a Maidstone train leaving the platform road. My understanding of SER/LCDR routes is poor, but wouldn't 30932's train have been routed towards Ashford, i.e. crossing out before reaching the traps?

That's the way it should have gone, but evidently didn't. Though it is slightly puzzling as to why the route wasn't set - bit early in the morning for the 4.50 to have been held for a boat train!

 

[Merle Haggard]

That's the way it should have gone, but evidently didn't. Though it is slightly puzzling as to why the route wasn't set - bit early in the morning for the 4.50 to have been held for a boat train!

Thank you. I was being a bit dim there; as you gently pointed out, the reason it went through the traps was not because it was heading for Maidstone, but that it had started off with the route to Dover not set or available.
Booking on at, probably, about 3 a.m. at Bricklayers Arms and calling every station, one can perhaps understand the traincrews' loss of concentration on a late Winter's morning, though.