GNR Rail Crash (1922)

[DaleCooper]

What a way to be woken up.

http://www.peterboroughimages.co.uk/blog/gnr-rail-crash-1922/

GNR Rail Crash (1922)

At 9:45am on Monday 14th August 1922, a runaway Midland and Great Northern Railway locomotive smashed into a brake van standing at the buffers and powered it and its own tender through the lineside house of railway controller Ernest Cole and family, coming to rest in the kitchen.

Ernest’s invalid wife was asleep in the room above the kitchen – see upper right in lower image. She crashed through the floor and landed in the debris below but escaped with cuts and bruises and, not surprisingly, suffering from shock.

Ernest’s ten year old daughter escaped unhurt, as did his 75 year old mother in law who was found pinned in the pantry and in severe shock. Cole himself had just left the bedroom when the crash occurred.

The engine driver and fireman had jumped from the engine just before impact and escaped unhurt.

The location in the images is just south of Crescent Bridge which you can see far right in the top image.

 

[Calthrop]

And no doubt the locals said, "Bloody 'Muddle & Get Nowhere' -- just typical of them !"

 

[theageofthetra]

Wasn't this the many true story used by Awdrey in one of the Railway Series- I think his vicarage was on their turf too?

 

[30907]

Wasn't this the many true story used by Awdrey in one of the Railway Series- I think his vicarage was on their turf too?

One of many true stories Awdry adapted - the nearest that comes to mind is Duck in "A Close Shave."

Pedantically, Awdry's parishes were on GER territory but (1) I believe his son Christopher worked in Peterborough at one time and (2) he borrowed his stories from all over (Hawes Jn and Ribblehead come immediately to mind!).

BTW@DaleCooper (and the linked website) the title isn't strictly accurate as the MGN linked to the Midland Railway tracks at Peterborough and that's where the accident occurred (see the milepost in the foreground).

 

[John Webb]

There's another photo that can be seen at http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/eventsummary.php?eventID=8185, but there is no formal report on the accident.

 

[deltic1989]

One of many true stories Awdry adapted - the nearest that comes to mind is Duck in "A Close Shave."

I think Thomas Comes to Breakfast may be closer to the mark, as Thomas runs away and becomes embedded in a Station Master's dining room.

Henry and James have also had run ins with Brakevans, though with less damaging results.