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Schiehallion wrote:Here Alycidon, I've asked this question before on HG but I think it was before you joined.
Anyway, I'm trying to find any details of a train crash at Port Eglinton in 1934, possibly 1 killed. The outcome of the investigation was that the report didn't blame the signaller but they concluded the driver hadn't had a spad either. The only other thing I know was a train from Corkerhill was involved.
I can't find a trace of it anywhere yet my Dad remembers it as he was working in the next box at Pollok Junction. Ring any bells with you?
Alycidon wrote:Hi Shiehallion, you are in luck. The accident is described in David L. Smith's book "Legends of the Glasgow and South Western Railway in LMS Days". Page 75/6. I have altered some sentences for clarity.
"On 6th September 1934...The 5.35pm ex St Enoch, a train of many stops was travelling by the Canal line, Beith, Dalry and Montgreenan to Kilmarnock. As usual , soon after leaving St Enoch, they were to be routed through Eglinton Signal Box to the up Canal Line. Coming along the down Canal Line was the 5:12 from Paisley West, with No 591 tender first and a Hurlford crew. The road was set for the 5:35pm and by signalman's evidence the Canal home was against the 5:12pm, but for some reason the Hurlford driver ran through it and the two trains met effectively head on on the crossing. The crew of the 5:35pm were killed the fireman of the 5:12 died later of his injuries. 5 passengers were killed and 34 injured.
The driver of the 5:12 from Paisley West, being the sole survivor of the footplate crews had to bear the brunt of the official enquiry and a trial for culpable homicide. He maintained that the signal was clear for him when he first sighted it; when he was within an engine length he looked up again and it was at danger. This implied that the signalman had "changed the road" after giving him the clear. At the enquiry, using a stopwatch, it was proved that this could not have been done in the time taken for the train to travel the distance. The enquiry therefore concluded that the driver was at fault, but at the trial for manslaughter he was acquitted.
theduke wrote:Excellent pics Alex, well done! Anyone any idea what that train is used for? Seems to say "Lab" something or other in the destination space....
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