The 1968 Hixon Level Crossing Disaster

For our last branch meeting of the season on 22 May we welcomed Malcolm Garner, who took as his subject the Hixon level crossing disaster of 6 January 1968. Malcolm was from the start respectful of the fact that 11 people, including three railwaymen, lost their lives that day, and went on to give a detailed and fascinating analysis of the cause.

British Railways brought the first half-barrier into use in 1961 at Spath, near Uttoxeter, not far from Hixon. The system was then rolled out across the network, with the intention of cost-saving by dispensing with signal boxes or crossing keepers.

While the process worked well, unfortunately this important development was not, with hindsight, adequately publicised or explained. Signage at the approaches was woefully inadequate, and emergency services were left blissfully ignorant of the dangers – a situation made worse by the reluctance of BR to engage with the haulage industry.

So on that fateful Saturday a very long articulated lorry, carrying a 120 ton transformer, despite a police escort, was barely halfway over the crossing approaching the village of Hixon in Staffordshire, when without warning, the crossing activated for the 11.30 Manchester to London Euston express. The destruction was fearful, rescue services and local people heroic, the repercussions far-reaching. Much training followed, plus new signage everywhere, and at last some cooperation between transport services. The disaster is touchingly commemorated in the village churchyard.

Jim Tucker