PC_Bedford_0170

PC_Bedford_0170

Unused postcard - Pub: W Gothard, 6 Eldon St., Barnsley

Shranbrook Railway Accident 1909

The accident happened on the Midland Railway at Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, on 4 February 1909. At around 3.45am a stopping goods train was en route from Bedford to Birmingham, on the ‘down’ goods line. This was a line for slower-moving traffic; ‘down’ lines moved away from the relevant railway company’s ‘headquarters’, in this case London, whereas ‘up’ lines moved towards the HQ. The stopping goods service was moved on to what the signalman, Alfred Robins, thought was the down line for faster trains. Unfortunately, it was not - it was the up fast line. 

The crew of the goods service realised the mistake and tried to raise the alarm. However, before they were able to do so, the up express goods train from Manchester to London, on the same line, hit the goods service at around 50 miles per hour ‘and a violent head-on collision ensued’ at 3.51am. On the footplate of the express goods service were driver Arthur Coope and fireman John Hawley. Both were killed. The guard of the express service, William Henson, was also severely injured. Both of the engines involved were destroyed, along with 20 wagons, such was the violence of the impact.

For the detailed report on the accident see the Railways Archive, specifically the Accident Report - accessed 5-11-24 (https://tinyurl.com/5cc9dtf8)