List of rail accidents in the United Kingdom

31 July 1815

16

boiler explosion

1815 Philadelphia train accident, a boiler explosion of "Brunton's Mechanical Traveller" on a plateway killed 16 people, mainly sightseers.

15 September 1830

1

0

Collision with person on track

Parkside: William Huskisson was fatally injured at the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway when he was hit by Stephenson's Rocket. Huskisson is often reported as the first railway fatality, including in ordinarily reliable sources. This is untrue; at least two people were killed on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway before it opened to the public. The earliest recorded fatality caused by a steam locomotive was an unnamed woman, described as "a blind American beggar", fatally injured by a train on the Stockton and Darlington Railway on 5 March 1827.

April 1831

Signalling error

Newton Junction: PC Bates of the Liverpool and Manchester railway police force caused an accident when he failed to change a set of points when asleep at his post; fined £3 by magistrates (equivalent to £340 in 2023).[citation needed]

4 May 1833

Level crossing collision

Bagworth: Collision with farmer's cart on level crossing, led to the implementation of the locomotive whistle.

3 December 1836

3

Derailment due to signalling error

Wetheral train accident: Train on the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway wrongly diverted into a siding at Wetheral, near Carlisle, Cumbria. The train derailed and crushed three people to death.

7 August 1840

5

Derailment

Howden rail crash, East Riding: Large casting fell from wagon and derailed coaches.

25 October 1840

1

4

Train overruning line end

Faringdon Road, Berkshire: Driver asleep at controls.

10 November 1840

2

Boiler explosion

Bromsgrove, Worcestershire: Boiler explosion.

24 December 1841

8

17

Landslip in cutting (collision with)

Railway accident at Sonning Cutting: Train ran into landslide caused by heavy rain.

2 April 1842

4

Tunnel collapse

Wallers Ash tunnel collapse [de]: A section of the 458-meter-long Wallers' Ash railway tunnel in Hampshire collapsed.

6 January 1843

1

1

Rear-end collision

Barnsley railway station, North Midland Railway: Luggage train ran into back of Leeds train in fog. "All carriages were smashed to pieces", the head of the only passenger was "cut completely off".

29 March 1844

1

Rear-end collision

Clay Cross Tunnel accident [de]. The driver of a train died as a result of a rear-end collision, which operated with a timed safety system.

5 October 1844

0

23

Rear-end collision

Anerley. Train ran into rear of train in front after signaller's error.

8 October 1844

2

Multiple collision

West Harton rail accident [de]. Multiple collision between two trains and a group of parked carriages in West Harton, South Shields, England. The collision occurred due to the train protection systems that were still very imperfect at the time.

November 1844

2

15

Head-on collision

Beeston, Nottinghamshire. 2 trains collided head-on in heavy fog.

6 October 1845

0

1

Derailment

Penistone: Train derailed by cow.

1 January 1846

1

1

Bridge failure

Tonbridge: Driver killed as bridge collapsed into River Medway.

20 January 1846

1

1

Bridge collapse

Penshurst brigde collapse [de]. A railway bridge between Penshurst and Tonbridge, Kent, collapsed when a train was passing over it. The locomotive driver died. This is the first known railway accident due to a bridge collapse.

24 May 1847

5

9

Bridge failure

Dee bridge disaster: Bridge collapsed into the river at Chester.

24 May 1847

2

Derailment

Southall: Broken locomotive tyre.

5 June 1847

7

Signalling error

Wolverton. Down mail train was switched into sidings in error by signalman where it collided with coal wagons.

10 May 1848

6

13

Shrivenham, Berkshire: Express struck horse-box and cattle-van.

10 February 1849

5

Rockcliffe, Cumbria. Axle failure resulted in derailment and carriages falling down an embankment.

27 June 1849

1

Hemerdon: The boiler of the engine 'Goliah' exploded.

1 August 1850

5

10

Cowlairs, Glasgow. A crowded early morning train passed a signal at danger then stopped before being hit from behind by another train.

30 April 1851

9

30–40

Sutton Tunnel railway accident, Cheshire: Two inadequately-powered trains struggling together to climb gradient in tunnel ran into by third following train due to miscalculations by Executive Committee and staff.

6 June 1851

5

1?

Falmer, Sussex: Train ran down incline without braking derailed by wooden sleeper obstructing track; engine, tender and two coaches ended up on nearby public highway.

6 September 1851

6

Bicester, Oxfordshire: Points were moved under the train by signalman resulting in derailment.

5 February 1852

0

0

Reading, Berkshire: Confusion over signals led to collision between express train and goods train at the junction of the Berks & Hants Branch line.

13 March 1852

2

Basingstoke rail accident: Tyre failure. Driver and fireman killed.

12 July 1852

4

a great number

Burnley Thorneybank, Lancashire.

20 October 1852

0

6

Aynho, Northamptonshire: A special service from Paddington to Birmingham, for the opening of the new line to Birmingham by the GWR loaded with directors of the Railway, ran into the rear end of a slow running Mixed Goods train at Aynho Station. When the driver of the mixed goods saw the special coming at a speed towards the station attempted to pull away. The coupling to the engine broke so its train was left behind. The locomotive "Lord of the Isles" destroyed the rear truck of the Mixed goods and was derailed by a broken axle. The undamaged carriages then struck the tender of the mixed goods locomotive. The mixed goods pulled the rest of its undamaged train to Banbury before returning to take the damaged special to Leamington because the relief engine sent to rescue the special derailed on the way from Birmingham.

4 March 1853

6

Dixon Fold: Derailment on deteriorated track.

9 March 1853

2

Mangotsfield: A mail train had stopped to allow an adjustment to the locomotive when another train crashed into it in dense fog at 25 mph (40 km/h). Two passengers were killed, with the deaths attributed to neglect of duty by the mail train's guard.

5 October 1853

18

Unknown

Straffan rail accident, County Kildare, Ireland: Collision of goods train into rear of stationary passenger train.

21 August 1854

3

11

Collision

1854 Croydon rail accident. An excursion train ran into a locomotive taking water. The locomotive of the excursion train and its following brake van derailed and were thrown off the curve. The following carriages telescoped into each other.

12 September 1855

7

7

Reading: Head-on collision between light engine running on wrong line and passenger train.

18 September 1855

3

0

Dinting Viaduct, Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway: Passenger train waiting to enter Dinting Station had to wait for the train ahead to clear, and drew up on the viaduct. The viaduct parapets were of similar height to station platforms and three passengers, believing that they had arrived, stepped from the carriages and fell to their deaths.

27 September 1855

1

9

Summerseat, north of Bury, Lancashire: Accrington-to-Bury passenger train runs into stationary goods train due to faulty signal.

4 August 1856

3

9

Stubbins, north of Ramsbottom, Lancashire: Northbound passenger train derails and overturns due to poorly installed temporary level-crossing.

6 October 1856

2

1

buffer stop collision

Salisbury A crash resulted in 2 deaths and 1 injury and a complete damaged train.

28 June 1857

11

30

Lewisham rail crash (1857), South London: two trains collided

23 August 1858

14

50

Round Oak rail accident: Rear part of train broke away and ran back down line, collision with following train. 170 persons applied for compensation because "of injury to their persons or their clothes".

16 June 1859

0

0

Virginia Water, Surrey. Special train from Ascot ran into the back of another special train.

16 July 1859

1

79

Bishopton, Renfrewshire: Two passenger trains collide in a tunnel at Bishopton.

16 September 1859

0

7

Staines, Surrey. Signal passed at danger resulted in collision between 2 trains.

20 February 1860

7

9

Tottenham station: Locomotive wheel failure led to derailment and collision with station platform.

4 September 1860

11

77

Helmshore rail accident, Lancashire: Rear portion of passenger excursion train became detached and ran back down line where it collided with an on-coming passenger train.

16 November 1860

10

Atherstone rail accident. The Duke and Duchess of Montrose were passengers.

11 June 1861

2

Wooton Bridge Collapse: Freight train, cast iron girders broke.

25 August 1861

23

176

Clayton Tunnel rail crash: Train hit stationary train in tunnel, confusion over signalling.

2 September 1861

16

Kentish Town rail accident: Signalman's error: engineering ballast train draws out of siding into path of passenger train.

23 September 1861

0

12

Mangotsfield: A goods train shunted into sidings broke down while crossing the track, and was subsequently hit by an excursion train.

6 December 1861

1

Portswood rail accident.

13 October 1862

17

Winchburgh rail crash: Collision in deep cutting.

3 August 1863

7

King's Lynn: Derailment.

7 June 1864

7

Egham: A special train passed a signal at danger and collided with the train in front.

11 October 1864

0

unknown

Putney. A passenger train collided with a goods train due to passing an unlit signal at danger.

14 December 1864

5

Blackheath Tunnel.

7 June 1865

11

30

Rednal rail crash: Excursion train failed to see warning flag for track maintenance.

9 June 1865

10

49

Staplehurst rail crash: Train ran over bridge where rails removed for work. Charles Dickens was a passenger.

9 June 1866

2

2

Welwyn Tunnel rail crash: Collision and fire in tunnel.

26 February 1867

2

Yanwath: Collision of goods trains, one carrying gunpowder; subsequent explosion.

29 June 1867

8

33

Rear-end collision

Warrington rail crash.

20 August 1868

33

Abergele train disaster:

18 December 1869

4

Dalton Junction rail crash; axle break derails Night Mail.

9 October 1869

7

Long Eaton: Collision.

20 June 1870

18

Newark rail crash: Excursion and freight train collided.

10 July 1870

5

29

St Nicholas Crossing, south of Carlisle Citadel: Freight train runs into side of up LNWR mail train on level junction.

14 September 1870

3

13

Tamworth rail crash: Signalman's error diverted Irish Mail into siding where it crashed into river.

28 October 1870

1

0

Bishopstoke collision: Stoker Edward Bist aged 24, Cattle Train heavy, wet rails, took longer to stop.

26 November 1870

7

Harrow: Signal overrun in fog.

6 December 1870

5

57

Brockley Whins.

12 December 1870

15

59

Stairfoot rail accident: Train divided.

26 December 1870

8

3

Wheel failure

Hatfield rail crash (1870): Coach wheel failure caused train separation.

5 September 1871

0

30

Reading, Berkshire: Signalman's error results in passenger train colliding with goods wagons.

21 February 1872

2

Whiteball Tunnel. The two packers had incautiously gone up the tunnel on a trolley and were overtaken by the engine.

20 July 1872

0

0

Reading, Berkshire: Coupling failure resulted in mail train colliding with goods train in fog.

2 October 1872

12

Kirtlebridge rail crash. Collision.

2 August 1873

13

30

Wigan rail crash. Facing points moved under train.

2 December 1873

1

Menheniot: Head-on collision on single line. Misunderstood signalman's verbal order.

27 January 1874

16

Bo'ness Junction rail crash: Express and mineral trains collide.

10 September 1874

25

73

Thorpe rail accident: Head-on collision on single-track line.

24 December 1874

34

69

Shipton-on-Cherwell train crash: Coach tyre broke, derailed train on bridge over canal.

28 August 1875

5

40

Kildwick and Cross Hills rail crash.

21 January 1876

14

Abbots Ripton rail disaster: Rear-end collision. Snow stuck slotted signals in clear position.

7 August 1876

15

Radstock rail accident: Head-on collision on single track. Inadequate infrastructure and unqualified staff overloaded by holiday traffic.

23 November 1876

6

Heeley, West Riding: St Pancras-to-Carlisle train derailed at 60 mph (97 km/h).

23 December 1876

5

Arlesey, Bedfordshire: Passenger train struck derailed goods train.

25 March 1877

5

17

Morpeth 1877: Kings Cross-to-Edinburgh train derailed on curve at 25 mph (40 km/h).

19 October 1878

13

Pontypridd station: Collision.

28 December 1879

75 estimate

0

Tay Bridge disaster. Bridge collapsed under train in a gale.

15 January 1880

5–9

n/k

Burscough Junction Station Crash, Lancashire.

11 August 1880

8

Wennington Junction rail crash: Derailment.

8 July 1881

7

Blackburn: Collision

27 November 1882

5

Inverythan crash: Bridge collapsed under train.

8 December 1882

0

2

Penistone station: Accident during shunting.

14 May 1883

7

300

Collision at Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire: train from Stranraer on the Dumfries, Lochmaben and Lockerbie Railway passed a signal and collided at low speed with an empty goods train on the Caledonian Main Line north of Lockerbie. Goods train's wagons derailed and southbound express collided with them.

3 June 1884

4

41

Downton, Wiltshire: Derailment caused by excessive speed over poor quality track.

7 June 1884

4

0

Sevenoaks, Kent: Two freight trains collided. Trains worked under time interval system.

16 July 1884

24

60

Penistone (Bullhouse Bridge) rail accident: Engine broke axle, derailed, train fell off embankment.

14 August 1884

0

2

Staines, Middlesex. Special train from Windsor ran into back of empty train due to excessive speed and passing a signal at danger.

1 January 1885

4

18

Penistone (Barnsley Junction): Axle on wagon of coal train broke and vehicle derailed into side of passing excursion train, destroying one carriage and damaging three.

30 August 1886

0

3

Mangotsfield: A goods train was shunting onto the mainline and hit the side of a passing excursion train, causing significant damage to the guard's van and head injuries to the guard.

1 September 1886

0

20

Penistone: Engine hit train too hard when backing onto it to couple up.

16 September 1887

25

94

Hexthorpe rail accident: Express ran into stationary race train.

7 February 1888

1

11

Hoylake, Cheshire: Collision between trains going in opposite directions.

30 March 1889

1

many

Penistone (Huddersfield Junction): Passenger train engine broke axle and derailed on points, then a mail train collided slightly with fallen engine.

12 June 1889

80

260

Armagh rail disaster: Runaway coaches collided with following train.

4 March 1890

4

Carlisle, Cumberland: Brakes misapplied.

10 November 1890

10

Norton Fitzwarren rail crash: two trains collided due to signaller and train crew errors.

1 May 1891

0

1

Norwood Junction crash: Cast-iron under-bridge broke under an express train.

27 May 1892

2

68

Derby Junction rail crash: two passenger trains collided at Derby Junction in Birmingham.

9 June 1892

5

Esholt Junction rail crash: two trains collide at junction, caused by unsafe procedures and a signal obscured by vegetation.

2 November 1892

10

43

Thirsk rail crash (1892): Rear-end collision, mistake by signalman after no sleep due to daughter taken ill and dying. Stated he was unfit to work, and why, but told he must; convicted of manslaughter but given absolute discharge.

12 August 1893

13

Llantrisant rail accident: Train down an embankment.

15 May 1894

5

Reading, Berkshire: Slip coach collided with passenger train.

22 December 1894

14

Chelford rail accident: Wind blew a truck into path of express.

10 November 1895

1

6

St. Neots derailment: Broken rail.

6 April 1896

1

Snowdon Mountain Railway: Runaway on hill derailed.

15 August 1896

1

Preston: Excessive speed on curve.

9 February 1897

12

Menheniot: Reconstruction of Coldrennick Viaduct: workman's platform fell.

11 June 1897

11

Welshampton rail accident, Shropshire: Derailment.

1 September 1897

1

31

Tooths Bank, near Heathfield, Sussex: Excessive speed caused derailment.

10 October 1897

1

2

Penistone station, West Riding: Light locomotive collided with a coach.

15 November 1897

2

Menheniot: Reconstruction of Trevido Viaduct, accident raising a heavy timber.

4 February 1898

7

8

Barassie Junction, South Ayrshire: Mail train and passenger train collided at high speed at junction.

21 March 1898

3

20

St Johns train crash 1898, London: Passenger train ran into the back of another passenger train in thick fog due to oversight by signalman.

18 July 1898

2

0

Acton, London: Passenger train from Windsor to Paddington. Inside connecting-rod of the engine broke and pierced the fire-box. Driver and fireman jumped or were thrown off but died in hospital the following day from burns.

2 September 1898

7

65

Wellingborough rail accident, Northamptonshire: Luggage trolley rolled off platform onto rails and derailed passing express.

17 October 1898

9

26

Wrawby Junction rail crash, Lincolnshire: Passenger train collided with derailed goods wagons hauling tree trunks.

8 December 1899

1

5

Norton Bridge, Staffordshire. The Irish Mail train ran over a bale of cloth fallen from a goods train which derailed some of the rear coaches which were then hit by a goods train, overturning the engine and derailing 16 waggons.

23 December 1899

3

12

Derailment

Between Glassford and Quarter Road on the Strathaven branch of the Caledonian Railway. The inquiry found an insuffiency of ballast led to a shifting of the permanent way which caused the derailment.

23 March 1900

7

Glasgow: Collision.

16 June 1900

5

35

Slough rail accident: Express passed signal at danger and collided with local train standing in station.

1 October 1900

1

2

Virginia Water, Surrey. Signalman forgot that passenger train was on the up platform and allowed a horse box train into the station resulting in a collision.

7 October 1900

0

51

Twickenham. Two trains collided while 4 carriages were being shunted from one train to another due to confusion over signalling.

24 October 1901

0

1

Bowling Tunnel, Bradford, West Riding: Defective coupling causing freight train to divide causing collision.

23 December 1901

6

0

Dingle, Liverpool: Electrical fault, train in tunnel. The insulation of an underfloor drive motor failed, causing arcing. The circuit breaker operated, but was repeatedly re-set by the driver. Eventually the arcing set fire to the wooden body of the coach.

25 April 1902

3

197

Hackney downs, London: Defective axle led to an axle failure and derailment, the train split and collided with a structure.

27 February 1903

0

35

Leven Viaduct near Ulverston: Early morning Carnforth-to-Whitehaven train blown over by high winds (Storm Ulysses) after being stopped on viaduct by fallen telegraph wires dislodging the engine's brake hose, destroying the vacuum and applying the brake.

27 July 1903

16

27

Glasgow St Enoch rail crash: Train ran into buffer stops.

20 February 1904

0

6

Gomshall station, Surrey: Derailment due to track defect.

3 October 1904

5

94

near Llanelli- Derailment due to excessive speed.

2 November 1904

0

2

Downton- Collision- signalmans error.

23 December 1904

4

Aylesbury station, Buckinghamshire: 4 killed were driver, secondman and 2 GPO employees. Mail train in fog and dark before dawn; train too fast on sharp curve entering station. The driver may not have had current route knowledge for that portion of the journey.

19 January 1905

7

Cudworth, West Riding: Collision of two Midland Railway trains with a third, in fog.

27 July 1905

20

48

Hall Road rail accident, Blundellsands, Lancashire: Two Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway electric passenger trains collided due to error on the part of a signalman (authorising the driver to pass an interlocked signal at danger) and the driver disregarding regulations for action in these circumstances.

1 September 1905

11

71

Witham rail crash, Essex: Derailment over track being repaired.

5 December 1905

6

Charing Cross roof collapse, London.

1 July 1906

28

11

1906 Salisbury rail crash: Express passenger train derailed due to speed on a tight curve at Salisbury in the early hours and collided with a milk train.

19 September 1906

13

17

Grantham rail accident, Lincolnshire: Derailment.

24 November 1906

2

Ulleskelf, East Riding: Passenger train overran signals and ran into the rear of a freight train.

28 December 1906

22

Elliot Junction rail accident, Forfarshire: Collision in blizzard.

29 December 1906

0

34

Collision between slip coach and main portion of a passenger train at Marks Tey.

17 April 1907

1

The Clarendon Film Company was filming a short drama at Coulsdon North railway station (Stoats Nest Station), depicting a clever Great Dane preventing a rail accident. The engine driver misunderstood his instructions and did not stop at the right place, killing a performer.

28 September 1907

1

12

Newport rail accident: collision

15 October 1907

18

33

Shrewsbury rail accident: Derailment at speed on curve.

5 March 1909

2

?

Tonbridge, Kent: Signal passed at danger.

21 April 1909

3

Cardiff Docks locomotive shed, Rhymney Railway, Wales: Safety valves, wrongly reassembled after repair, did not open, causing Boiler explosion.

26 October 1909

2

26

West Hampstead: Two passenger trains collided in fog.

1 January 1910

1

0

Braunton Road railway accident, Devon: 1 railwayman killed whilst opening level-crossing gates.

29 January 1910

7

65

Coulsdon North, Surrey: Rolling stock failure and derailment.

24 December 1910

12

17

Hawes Junction rail crash: Train hit 2 light engines; signalman's error: forgot train.

23 January 1911

11

Pontypridd railway accident: Rear collision.

17 September 1912

15

50

Ditton Junction rail crash, Lancashire, (now Cheshire): Train derailed, collided with a structure and then caught fire.

26 March 1913

2

2

Chumhill railway accident: 2 track workers killed; 2 injured.

2 September 1913

14

38

1913 Ais Gill rail accident: Train passed red signal, rear-end collision; underpowered engines and bad coal.

14 April 1914

2

12

Burntisland, Fife. Edinburgh-to-Aberdeen train collided with the Dundee goods train.

17 June 1914

1

9

Reading, Berkshire: Train passed signal at danger leading to collision with a second train.

18 June 1914

5

10

Carrbridge rail crash, Scottish Highlands: Bridge collapsed whilst a train was passing over it following torrential rain.

1 January 1915

10

500+

Ilford rail crash (1915): Driver passed signals at danger.

22 May 1915

226

246

Quintinshill rail crash, 22 May 1915; 226 killed, 246 injured: Troop train hit local standing train and 2 coal trains; another train hit wreckage caused by mistakes by signalmen.

14 August 1915

10

21

Weedon rail crash (1915), Northamptonshire: Detached coupling rod on a moving locomotive damaged adjacent track causing oncoming train to derail. Coaches toppled down an embankment as a result.

17 December 1915

19

81

St Bedes Junction rail crash: Double collision sent trains down embankment and fire consumed some of the wreckage. Procedural failures by driver and signalman.

2 February 1916

0

0

Penistone rail accident, West Riding: Penistone end of the viaduct north of station subsided; embankment and end arch fell, taking a locomotive with it.

3 February 1916

2

1

Torpantau, Brecknockshire: Signal passed at danger.

3 January 1917

12

46

Ratho rail crash, Queensferry Junction, West Lothian: Passenger express train collided with goods engine running light due to human error.

24 September 1917

10

0

Bere Ferrers rail accident, Devon: New Zealand troops just disembarked in the UK after voyage from NZ alighted via wrong side of train and onto track under misapprehension that Bere Ferrers railway station was in fact Exeter St Davids (where they were due to receive food rations) and were hit by another train travelling in opposite direction at 40 mph (64 km/h).

18 January 1918

1

4

Near Oswestry, Shropshire: Signalman's error – head-on collision on single line.

19 January 1918

7

46

Little Salkeld rail accident on Settle-Carlisle line: London St. Pancras to Glasgow express ran into landslip in cutting blocking line at 60 mph (97 km/h).

15 June 1918

1

8

Denburn South Junction, Aberdeen: Glasgow-to-Aberdeen passenger train strikes an engine running light on approaching Aberdeen Joint Passenger Station due to a signalman's error.

5 May 1919

1

1

Paddock Wood, Kent: Two goods trains collided due to excessive speed.

17 November 1919

0

11

Crewe, Cheshire: Chester-to-Crewe passenger train hit buffer stops in bay platform.

29 November 1919

1

4

Haverhill, Suffolk: Passenger train hit buffer stops in siding after leaving station due to error by the train driver and signalman.

17 July 1920

4

148

Lostock Junction, Bolton: Collision between two Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway passenger trains due to signal passed at danger.

4 August 1920

0

13

Littlehampton, West Sussex: Brakes failed, train collided with buffers.

26 January 1921

17

36

Abermule train collision, Montgomeryshire: Head-on collision on single line, inattention to proper procedures.

8 August 1921

0

17

Selby railway station, Yorkshire: Sidelong collision caused by passing danger signal due to driver error.

26 November 1921

3

24

Birmingham New Street. Collision caused by passing danger signal due to driver error, and moist tracks, which caused wheelslip.

19 April 1922

0

0

Ascot, Berkshire. Failure to apply brakes by staff while shunting resulted in light engine running away for approximately 6 miles.

6 December 1922

1

8

Birkenhead Park, Cheshire: Head-on collision between two Wirral Railway trains, failure to see a signal set at danger.

13 February 1923

3

23

Retford, Nottinghamshire: Driver error

15 April 1923

0

9

Curry Rivel Junction, Somerset: Signalman Error

5 July 1923

4

11

Diggle, West Riding: Driver error

3 November 1924

15

12

Lytham rail crash: Locomotive tyre fracture

12 October 1925

0

21

Llandudno Carnarvonshire: Driver error, signal passed at danger.

7 December 1925

9

6

Fenny Stratford, Buckinghamshire: Collision with road vehicle.

18 February 1926

1

Mangotsfield: A wagon examiner was walking in the sidings when he lurched into the path of a train and was run over.

30 August 1926

9

Naworth Crossing: Collision with charabanc on crossing.

19 November 1926

9

Parkgate and Rawmarsh, West Riding: Derailment and collision

14 February 1927

12

24

Hull Paragon rail accident: Head-on collision caused by signalling error.

27 February 1927

0

48

Penistone: Shunting engine passed signal meant for express, collision.

24 August 1927

13

Sevenoaks railway accident: Derailment.

27 June 1928

25

45

Darlington rail crash: head-on collision. Driver misunderstood a calling on signal during shunting and passed home signal at danger.

9 July 1928

2

London Bridge: Driver of light engine misread signals.

9 October 1928

1

14

New Tredegar: During temporary single-line working signalman allowed train up to signal which it failed to stop at, colliding with train running the other way (first passenger fatality on GWR since 1916).

13 October 1928

16

41

Charfield railway disaster, Gloucestershire; Night mail train passed signals at danger hit shunting freight train. The mail train was lit by fuel gas and this ignited shortly after the impact, causing a severe fire.

8 January 1929

4

38

Ashchurch: Signal overrun.

12 February 1929

2

0

Doe Hill: Head-on collision. Signalman's error.

20 November 1929

3

Combe Down Tunnel accident: Train crew overcome by smoke in a tunnel, runaway train crashed into a goods yard.

9 January 1930

1

Lawrence Hill: Rear collision, signalman incorrectly accepted next train.

22 March 1931

6

Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire: Train derailed due to driver exceeding speed limit on slow lines.

17 June 1932

4

54

Great Bridgeford, Staffordshire: Excessive speed

25 May 1933

5

Raynes Park, Surrey: Train derailed due to uncompleted track maintenance.

10 July 1933

1

35

Little Salkeld: Signalman's error

6 December 1933

1

6

Altrincham: Signalman's error

19 December 1933

2

1

Hellifield, West Riding: Shunter/guard error caused head-on collision.

July 1934

1

Mangotsfield: A platelayer was hit by a train while clearing weeds from the track.

6 September 1934

9

11

Port Eglinton Junction, Glasgow: Head-on collision.

28 September 1934

12

Winwick rail crash: Collision at junction: overloaded signalman, mistake by his assistant lad.

15 June 1935

13

85

Welwyn Garden City rail crash: rear-end collision caused by signalman's error.

15 January 1936

2

10

Shrivenham: Train collided with breakaway wagons.

23 December 1936

0

0

Mangotsfield: Two passenger carriages derailed while shunting after becoming fouled on a set of points.

2 April 1937

10

17

Battersea Park rail crash: Signalling error.

10 December 1937

35

179

Castlecary rail crash: Whiteout in snowy night and snow blocked points, rear-end collision.

21 January 1938

3

46

Oakley Junction, Bedfordshire: Signalman's error

8 April 1938

2

15

Rutherglen: Axle defect.

4 August 1938

1

3

Wishaw South, Lanarkshire: Driver error – excessive speed

22 February 1939

1

161

Glasgow: Passing Signal at danger caused by driver error, rear-end collision with another passenger train at Stobcross West Junction.

February 1940

1

Watford: Landslide, embankment slid onto track.

4 November 1940

27

56

Norton Fitzwarren rail crash (1940): Driver read wrong signal, drove off end of track at 40 mph (64 km/h).

15 February 1941

1

Mangotsfield: A 15-year old railway employee was involved in an accident with a train, receiving severe head injuries.

2 July 1941

5

6

Dolphin Junction, Slough: Signalman failed to notice train.

14 September 1941

9

45

Holmes Chapel, Cheshire: Signalman's error.

30 December 1941

23

57

Eccles rail crash: Train passed red signal in fog and wartime blackout, collision on crossing.

2 February 1942

14

54

Cowlairs East Junction collision. Signalman's error: cleared signals on the running line while it was occupied by a stationary light engine.There was a delay in implementing Rule 55, which required the fireman to enter the signalbox to ensure that his engine was protected by signals.

16 January 1944

9

38

Ilford rail crash: Politician Frank Heilgers killed, signal passed at danger in fog.

13 March 1944

1

7

Near Henstridge, Somerset: unconfirmed 1 killed, 7 injured: U.S. road transport vehicle crashed through bridge wall onto passing train.

2 June 1944

2

29

Soham rail disaster: Explosion of ammunition wagon.

10 January 1945

22

27

Ballymacarrett rail crash: Collision caused by driver error; excess speed in fog.

4 February 1945

2

26

King's Cross railway accident: Locomotive slipped to stand in tunnel, train rolled back into station.

30 September 1945

43

64

Bourne End rail crash: excess speed on turnout.

10 November 1945

0

23

Woking crash: Driver and other errors Passenger train collides with rear of second passenger train.

31 December 1945

3

10

Northwood Middlesex: Collision due to excess speed in fog

1 January 1946

20

21

Lichfield rail crash: Signal interlocking failed due to frozen points, goods train collided with rear of stationary passenger train.

5 January 1946

10

18

Browney rail crash: Goods train divided and crashed, the wreckage of which was hit by an express travelling in the opposite direction.

10 February 1946

2

17

Potters Bar rail crash: Driver error and signalman's error caused passenger train to hit buffers. Derailed coaches fouled main line and were hit by two express train.

19 March 1946

1

13

Mottingham: Signaller error. Electric passenger train collided with a stationary light engine that was waiting to move into the sidings.

10 November 1946

0

7

Marshmoor, Hertfordshire: Derailment due to track defects

27 December 1946

0

3

Byfleet, Surrey: Derailment due to track defects

2 January 1947

7

45

Gidea Park: Signalman's error in fog, rear-end collision.

18 May 1947

0

4

Lambrigg Crossing signal box between Grayrigg and Oxenholme: 4 hospitalised. Express driver missed a signal while looking in his food box, hit light engine.

22 July 1947

5

64

Polesworth, Warwickshire: Derailment due to track defects.

9 August 1947

18

118

Doncaster: Signalman's error, rear-end collision.

24 October 1947

32

183

South Croydon rail crash: Signalman's error in fog, rear-end collision.

27 October 1947

27

Goswick rail crash: Excess speed on diversion, driver did not read warning notice.

6 November 1947

4

101

Motspur Park, Surrey: Fogman's error

10 December 1947

1

2

Train of tank wagons carrying petrol ran out of control and crashed through buffers at Manchester Victoria station, caused by misjudgement by the driver.

17 April 1948

24

30

Winsford rail accident, Cheshire: Glasgow-to-Euston train was stopped by passenger inappropriately pulling communication cord. Following train hit stopped train due to a signalman's error.

19 May 1948

8

34

Wath Road Junction: Buckled track derailed locomotive; train rolled down embankment.

16 October 1948

2

0

Conington level crossing: The 4 pm train from Peterborough to London strikes a car on the level crossing, killing former mayor of Peterborough Arthur Mellows and his dog.

30 November 1948

5

36

Stockport Viaduct, Cheshire/Lancashire: In dense fog, a stationary passenger train from Manchester to Crewe and Disley was run into by following passenger train from Manchester to Buxton, which had passed a signal at danger. Two rearmost coaches of standing train were telescoped.

16 December 1948

1

Mangotsfield: A 16-year old railway employee was hit by a mail train.

23 June 1949

0

7

Train fire near Penmanshiel Tunnel: two coaches of Edinburgh-to-King's Cross express destroyed by fire.

30 September 1949

1

Mangotsfield: A train fireman was hit by an express train.

4 October 1949

2

Oakley (Bedfordshire): Freight train collides with stationary freight train on viaduct and plunges off it into a meadow

13 May 1950

0

68

Preston, Lancashire: Passenger train from Southport collided with a stationary light engine after passing signals at danger

8 June 1950

5

0

near Beattock Summit: Fire on train.

27 August 1950

6

35

Penmaenmawr crash, north Wales: Up Irish Mail sleeper train from Holyhead to Euston collided with shunting locomotive at night due to signalman's error.

7 September 1950

3

1

Hopworthy, Holsworthy, Devon: Train hit tractor on farm crossing.

16 March 1951

14

29

Doncaster rail crash, West Riding: Southbound express passenger train to London King's Cross partly derailed on a poorly maintained crossover shortly after leaving Doncaster, one coach destroyed.

14 July 1951

0

22

Train fire near Huntingdon: four coaches of King's Cross-to-Leeds express destroyed by fire.

17 August 1951

3

41

Newcastle rail crash between electric units due to starting when signal at danger.

21 September 1951

15

26

Weedon crash, Northamptonshire: Jammed locomotive axlebox caused derailment of Liverpool Lime Street-to-Euston passenger train at speed

18 April 1952

0

34

Blea Moor (Settle-Carlisle Line): Brake rod on locomotive tender detached and derailed train.

8 October 1952

112

340

Harrow and Wealdstone rail disaster, Middlesex: During fog conditions, driver failed to obey signals, his train struck the rear of a stationary train, a third train travelling in the opposite direction struck the wreckage.

25 October 1952

0

3

Crewkerne: Brake rod on locomotive tender detached and debris flew through coach.

5 May 1953

6

0

Ystrad Caron level-crossing near Tregaron: van with six occupants on crossing hit by non-scheduled train.

15 August 1953

10

58

Irk Valley Junction rail crash near Manchester: 5-car EMU train collided with steam-hauled train at Irk Valley Junction, Collyhurst, caused by a signalman's error and driver inattention.[citation needed]

28 October 1953

0

1

Goswick derailment: Glasgow-to-Colchester express passenger train derailed at Goswick.

17 December 1953

1

1

Longniddry station: A section of track fell off a down freight train on to the up line derailing a parcel train from Edinburgh to Kings Cross.

23 January 1955

17

43

Sutton Coldfield rail crash: Train on diversionary route, pilot driver with route knowledge was unfamiliar with type of locomotive, speed on curve, train strewn over platforms.[citation needed]

28 May 1955

3

40

Wormit, Fife: Train derailed at excessive speed in tunnel, overturning onto a platform at Wormit Station. Locomotive fireman and two passengers on footplate killed.

20 November 1955

11

157

Milton rail crash, Oxfordshire: Passenger train from Treherbert to London Paddington derailed whilst passing over a crossover at excessive speed.

2 December 1955

13

35

Barnes rail crash: rear-end collision because signalman error.

22 December 1955

1

50

Luton station accident: Northbound passenger train in rear-end collision with stationary northbound passenger train.

6 September 1956

0

3

Ludlow, Shropshire: Collision due to driver error.

7 January 1957

1

25

Welwyn Garden City rail crash, Hertfordshire: Signals ignored in fog, rear-end collision with another passenger train.

9 February 1957

2

Chapel-en-le-Frith rail crash, Derbyshire: Runaway freight train rear-end collision with another freight train due to brake failure. Deceased driver of runaway train posthumously awarded George Cross.

4 December 1957

90

173

Lewisham rail crash, south-east London: Missed signals in fog, rear-end collision with another passenger train. Overbridge fell on wreckage when bridge's abutment was struck by derailing locomotive and coaches.

30 January 1958

10

89

Dagenham East rail crash: Signal passed at danger in thick fog by passenger train, rear-end collision with preceding passenger train

4 July 1958

0

45

Maze Hill station: Signal passed at danger, head-on collision of 4-car EMU from Gravesend Central to Charing Cross with 9-coach empty passenger stock train being shunted by a steam locomotive

25 August 1958

5

41

Eastbourne station rail crash, 22 serious injuries, 19 minor: Sleeper train from Glasgow passed signal at danger, collided head-on with 12-car EMU from Ore to London Bridge as the latter is leaving platform at the station.

19 November 1958

0

5

Hitchin rail crash, No fatalities, 5 minor injuries: The 3:25 am London-to-Peterborough freight train collided with the rear of the 2:28 am London-to-Peterborough freight train which had been held at the down main 'Home' signal. Some wagons derailed across the up main and were almost immediately hit by the 10:35 pm Leeds-to-London freight train. A stationary light engine on the adjacent up slow was also struck and overturned.

26 October 1959

0

22

Ardsley: Collision due to inadequate signalling arrangements.

21 January 1960

5

9

Settle rail crash: Locomotive slide bar fell off due to failed bolts; connecting rod became detached destroying adjacent track; oncoming goods train derailed into side of passenger train.

24 November 1960

2

26

Between Pontrhydyfen and Cwmavon, Glamorgan: Head-on collision between 3-car passenger DMU travelling from Swansea High Street to Barry Island and a runaway steam-hauled goods train.

2 December 1960

4

1

North Belton level-crossing, near Dunbar, East Lothian: Car with five occupants hit by two freight trains on a level-crossing.

8 February 1961

0

6

Royton, Lancashire: Runaway train crashed through buffers and demolished a pair of terraced houses.

13 February 1961

3

7

Baschurch, Shropshire: Signalman's error caused collision between passenger train travelling at 40–45 mph (64–72 km/h) and freight train locomotive that was shunting its wagons into a siding. The locomotive, tender and a stores van of the passenger train overturned and ended up on the station platform where the stores van burst into flames and burned out.

18 April 1961

2

42

Pitsea, Essex: steam-hauled passenger train from London Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness overturned after running over catch points.

16 July 1961

7

116

Singleton Bank rail crash, Weeton, Lancashire: signalman let train enter section of line under engineer's possession, collided with ballast train.

3 June 1962

3

7

Lincoln rail crash: Excess speed on curve.

26 December 1962

18

34

Coppenhall Junction rail disaster, Cheshire: Express hit a second express from the rear. Driver passed signal at danger as phone was out of order, hit stationary train in next section.

25 January 1963

2

3

Bracebridge Gas Sidings, Lincoln: 2-car DMU travelling from Grantham to Lincoln Central collided with a stationary steam locomotive.

31 July 1963

1

2

Between Picton and Welbury, North Riding of Yorkshire: Freight train ran into the back of another freight train due to a signal passed at danger.

15 August 1963

3

3

Knowle and Dorridge rail crash: Pullman train from Birmingham Snow Hill to London Paddington ran into freight train being shunted across its path due to signalman's error.

6 December 1963

2

2

Stanton Gate, Stapleford, Nottinghamshire: two freight trains collided due one passing a signal at danger.

13 December 1963

1

31

Shoreditch, east London: Rear coach of a Liverpool Street-to-Gidea Park train derailed shortly after leaving terminus and is struck by a train travelling in the opposite direction.

5 March 1964

2

0

Itchingfield Junction, West Sussex: Collision between up goods train (Brighton to Three Bridges, diverted via Steyning line), which overran signals, and down goods train (Three Bridges to Chichester)

28 May 1964

3

27

Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire: Train derailed crossing a temporary railway bridge over road widening work at well in excess of the temporary 10 mph (16 km/h) speed limit.

3 June 1964

3

17

Bradford Exchange station, West Riding: Driver of DMU train suffered heart attack, train ran out of control on steep downhill approach to station and collided with a stationary mail train at platform.

25 June 1964

1

4

Nantwich station level-crossing, Nantwich, Cheshire: Express passenger train from Plymouth to Manchester passed signal at danger and crashed through level-crossing gates into 2 road vehicles.

5 October 1964

0

1

Finsbury Park: Two passenger trains collided in dense fog when the green signal was given in error. The trains were the 08:20 Kings Cross – Doncaster and 09:00 Kings Cross – Newcastle. The only injury was to the driver, who had to be cut from the train.

10 October 1964

1

4

Millbrook, Bedfordshire: Eight-car DMU from St. Pancras to Bedford travelling at 60 mph (97 km/h) when a fire broke out under the last coach. One passenger died and others injured after jumping from moving train to escape fire.

11 January 1965

1

2

Coton Hill rail crash, Shrewsbury: Driver of goods train failed to obey stop sign, derailed on trap points and crashed through Coton Hill signal box.

29 March 1965

2

15

Elm Park, near Dagenham, Essex: Derailment- Unknown persons placed obstruction on line, derailed London-Fenchurch St.-to-Shoeburyness passenger train travelling at 70 mph (110 km/h)

20 May 1965

0

11

Hest Bank, Lancashire: Derailment caused by broken rail.

4 September 1965

1

5

Holyhead station, Anglesey: local passenger train from Bangor collided with stationary boat train to Euston due to inattention and lack of caution of driver and fireman.

22 September 1965

3

8

Roundstone level-crossing, Angmering, Sussex: In thick fog a 4-car EMU passenger train crashed through crossing gates, closed across line in error by crossing keeper, and collided with a Southdown double-deck bus traversing the crossing, pushing it 54 yards (49 m) along the track. Bus destroyed by fire.

17 December 1965

2

0

Bridgend, Glamorgan: Locomotive derailed due to landslide whilst hauling train of empty passenger coaches, and this in turn was run into by a freight train.

13 May 1966

2

5

Acton Grange Junction, Warrington, Cheshire: Rear section of moving freight train became uncoupled on gradient in the dark and ran downhill into an oncoming London Euston-to-Stranraer boat train, killing the driver and co-driver of the latter train.

28 February 1967

9

16

Stechford rail crash, Birmingham: Misunderstood hand signal coupled with an unauthorised movement of a diesel locomotive crossing the running lines into the path of multiple unit passenger train travelling at 60 mph (97 km/h).

5 March 1967

5

18

Connington South rail crash, Huntingdonshire: Signal operator wilfully defeated interlocking and moved facing points while passenger train was passing over them.

22 May 1967

0

12

Tyseley North Junction, Birmingham: A.W.S. pickup shoe fixing bolts worked loose and fell out under the locomotive hauling a London-Birmingham express passenger train. The shoe struck the stretcher bar of facing points at around 60 mph, causing the points to move under the train.

11 July 1967

0

13

Maidstone East station, Kent: Freight train passed signal at danger and ran into rear of stationary passenger train; error by guard resulted in inadequate brake power; excessive speed.

31 July 1967

7

45

Thirsk rail crash (1967): Derailment of the rear portion of a freight train led to wagon fouling adjacent track, passenger express ran into wagon at approximately 50 mph (80 km/h).

27 September 1967

1

23

Foxhall Junction, Didcot: Derailment caused by train driver driving at excessive speed through crossover. (O. S. Nock was a passenger).

5 November 1967

49

78

Hither Green rail crash: Hastings-to-Charing Cross train derailed at 70 mph (110 km/h) (113 km/h) due to broken rail.

6 January 1968

11

27

Hixon rail crash, Staffordshire: Express passenger train collided at level crossing with road-transporter carrying 110-ton transformer.

11 March 1968

2

1

Peterborough North: Freight train ran into back of another freight train due to driver error.

23 March 1968

2

1

Hatfield, Hertfordshire: Train driver error caused freight train to crash through buffers on a spur line and into an over-line bridge abutment at about 30 mph (48 km/h).

16 April 1968