1965 Winsford railway accident explained

1965 Winsford blowback
Location:Winsford railway station
Operator:London Midland Region of British Railways
Type:Fire blowback
Trains:1
Crew:2
Deaths:1
Injuries:1 (serious)

On 5 June 1965, British Rail Standard Class 7 locomotive 70051 Firth of Forth was hauling a passenger train when a blowback of the fire[1] occurred near Winsford, severely injuring both traincrew. Driver Wallace Oakes managed to safely bring the train to a stand, but both he and fireman Gwilym Roberts were severely injured. Oakes died a week later. He was awarded the George Cross and the Carnegie Hero Trust bronze medal for his actions. Class 86 locomotive 86 260 was later named Wallace Oakes G.C. in his honour.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The management of steam locomotive boilers. Risks to people: reversal of draught (blowback) resulting from the failure of steam pipes. Office of Rail and Road. 2017-08-26. dead. 2017-02-06. http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20170206145958/http://orr.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/2636/RSP6-locoblrs.pdf.
  2. Hero steam driver's George Cross may topple world railwayana record . Geoff . Courtney . Heritage Railway . 230 . 9 . Mortons Media Ltd . Horncastle . 1466-3562 . 30 June 2017.