Rail Incidents – Thirsk and Lewisham – Fraser Pithie

RCTS – West Midlands Branch Meeting Report

Monday 16th December 2024 – Coventry

On Monday 16th December 2024 was our speaker was Fraser Pithie who presented ‘Rail Incidents’, as they are called today. The accidents at Thirsk and Lewisham were illustrated and explained in great detail. South of Thirsk on 17th July 1977 a cement tanker had become derailed and while most of the wagons fell down the adjoining embankment one wagon slewed at right angles and fouled the Down Main’ where an approaching express was being hauled by the prototype diesel locomotive DP2. Fraser carefully explained all of the factors behind this incident including those involved as well as recently unearthed anecdotal information. He concluded this incident and described all subsequent recommendations.

On the evening of 4 December 1957, two trains crashed in dense fog on the South Eastern Maim Line near Lewisham in South-East London, causing the deaths of 90 people and injuring 173. An electric train to Hayes had stopped at a signal under a rail bridge, and the following steam train to Ramsgate hauled by WC No.34066 ‘Spitfire’ crashed into it, destroying a carriage and causing the bridge to collapse onto the steam train. The bridge had to be completely removed; it was over a week before the lines under the bridge were reopened, and another month before the bridge was rebuilt and traffic allowed over it.

The driver of the Ramsgate train was acquitted of manslaughter charges after two trials. The Ministry of Transport report found that he had failed to slow down after passing two caution signals, so he was unable to stop at the danger signal, concluding that the use of an Automatic Warning System would have prevented the collision.

On a lighter note, Fraser signed off telling the very encouraging story about the ‘Community’ adventure at Henley in Arden. The station building had fallen into disrepair before locals got together to repair and refurbish it and turn it into a viable enterprise with a Café, ‘Community Hub’ and ‘Craft Beer Brewery! We thanked Fraser for another superb presentation.