Kendalian
Member
- Joined
- 30 Mar 2016
- Messages
- 249
Travelled through Carlisle today and I recalled it was the anniversary of the freight train derailment.
Basically the train broke into 2 parts descending from Shap and the signalman spotted this and made the brave decision to divert the 2nd runaway part onto the goods line, having diverted the front portion into the station.
The 2nd portion was wrecked and the goods line subsequently closed. The signalman's (Bob Taylor) quick actions likely saved the station from severe damage and possible loss of life (it was the early hours of the morning though). There's a plaque to commemorate his actions in the waiting room near platforms 5/6.
Here's a Youtube link with news reports.
I remember the Border TV coverage like it was yesterday!
Basically the train broke into 2 parts descending from Shap and the signalman spotted this and made the brave decision to divert the 2nd runaway part onto the goods line, having diverted the front portion into the station.
The 2nd portion was wrecked and the goods line subsequently closed. The signalman's (Bob Taylor) quick actions likely saved the station from severe damage and possible loss of life (it was the early hours of the morning though). There's a plaque to commemorate his actions in the waiting room near platforms 5/6.
Here's a Youtube link with news reports.
I remember the Border TV coverage like it was yesterday!