The Story of Wormit and the Tay Bridge Disaster

Our February meeting “The Story of Wormit and the Tay Bridge Disaster”, was presented by Charlie Armstrong.

Sensible learned men agree the three main causes of the Tay Bridge collapse are poor design, poor workmanship & inadequate maintenance/downright bad maintenance by the North British Railway. A comprehensive overview of the numerous factors involved highlighted via sketches, drawings and photographs the likely failures leading to the collapse enlightened the attendees, not forgetting the technical and underground substructure problems encountered in constructing the bridge.

An updated edition of ‘The fall of the Tay Bridge’. by David Swinfen, incorporating recent research, was published the same day as the presentation.

The history of Wormit station was outlined, it opening in 1889, and closing 80 years later in 1969. The accidents/incidents occurring there from the early 1900s to the final derailment during 1961 being described and illustrated where possible. A number of images illustrating trains passing though the station were shown. The SRPS moved Wormit station in three sections to Bo’ness during 1981.

The meeting concluded with a very informative Q&A Session. This was a most informative and educational meeting.