The 1968 Hixon Level Crossing Disaster

In this dreadful accident a huge articulated transporter lorry, carrying a 120-ton transformer slowly over the automatic level crossing at Hixon, was hit by a 500-ton express train travelling at about 75mph.  It was truly a dramatic case of an irresistible force meeting an immovable object.

The terrific impact not only destroyed the electric locomotive, killing the three-man crew instantly, but also wrecked the first five coaches of the train, causing the death of eight passengers, and tore up the track and infrastructure for nearly 200 yards.

This talk will examine the accident from all perspectives and the changes which followed, plus an update of recent commemorative events in the village of Hixon and in the railway industry.