This lists significant accidents involving railway rolling stock, including crashes, fires and incidents of crew being overcome by locomotive emissions. Other railway-related incidents such as the King's Cross fire of 1987 or the 7 July 2005 London bombings are not included.
The worst accident was the Quintinshill rail disaster in Scotland in 1915 with 226 dead and 246 injured. Second worst, and the worst in England, was the 1952 Harrow and Wealdstone rail crash, which killed 112 people and injured 340.[1] The death toll from the 1957 Lewisham rail crash was 90; for the 1889 Armagh rail disaster (the worst in Northern Ireland) it was 80; and for the 1879 Tay Bridge disaster it was 75. The worst rail accident in Wales was the 1868 Abergele rail disaster, with 33 dead.
The accident on the London Underground with the highest loss of life was the Moorgate tube crash which occurred on the Northern City Line in 1975 (which was at the time part of the London Underground Network).
See also: History of rail transport in Great Britain 1830–1922.
Before 1830: the 1815 Philadelphia train accident, a boiler explosion of "Brunton's Mechanical Traveller" on a plateway killed 16 people, mainly sightseers.
| Date | Killed | Injured | Type | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | Collision with person on track | Parkside William Huskisson was fatally wounded 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.[2] 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.[3] | ||
| 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 . | ||||
| Level crossing collision | Bagworth: Collision with farmer's cart on level crossing, led to the implementation of the locomotive whistle. | ||||
| 3 | Derailment due to signalling error | Wetheral train accident Train on the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway wrongly diverted into a siding at Wetheral, a near Carlisle, Cumbria. The train derailed and crushed three people to death. | |||
| 5 | Derailment | Howden rail crash, East Riding: Large casting fell from wagon and derailed coaches. | |||
| 1 | 4 | Train overruning line end | Faringdon Road, Berkshire: Driver asleep at controls. | ||
| 2 | Boiler explosion | , Worcestershire: Boiler explosion. | |||
| 8 | 17 | Landslip in cutting (collision with) | Railway accident at Sonning Cutting Train ran into landslide caused by heavy rain. | ||
| 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".[4] | ||
| 0 | 23 | Rear-end collision | Anerley. Train ran into rear of train in front after signaller's error.[5] | ||
| 2 | 15 | Head-on collision | Beeston, Nottinghamshire. 2 trains collided head-on in heavy fog.[6] | ||
| 0 | 1 | Derailment | Penistone Train derailed by cow. | ||
| 1 | 1 | Bridge failure | Tonbridge: Driver killed as bridge collapsed into River Medway.[7] | ||
| 5 | 9 | Bridge failure | Dee bridge disaster Bridge collapsed into the river at Chester. | ||
| 2 | Derailment | Broken locomotive tyre. | |||
| 7 | Signalling error | Wolverton. Down mail train was switched into sidings in error by signalman where it collided with coal wagons.[8] | |||
| 6 | 13 | , Berkshire: Express struck horse-box and cattle-van. | |||
| 5 | Rockcliffe, Cumbria. Axle failure resulted in derailment and carriages falling down an embankment.[9] | ||||
| 1 | Hemerdon The boiler of the engine 'Goliah' exploded.[10] | ||||
| 5 | 10 | Cowlairs, Glasgow. A crowded early morning train passed a signal at danger then stopped before being hit from behind by another train.[11] | |||
| 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.[12] | |||
| 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.[13] | |||
| 6 | Bicester, Oxfordshire: Points were moved under the train by signalman resulting in derailment.[14] | ||||
| 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.[15] | |||
| 2 | Basingstoke rail accident: Tyre failure. Driver and fireman killed.[16] | ||||
| 4 | a great number | Burnley Thorneybank, Lancashire.[17] | |||
| 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 before returning to take the damaged special to Leamington because the relief engine sent to rescue the special derailed on the way from Birmingham.[18] | |||
| 6 | Derailment on deteriorated track.[19] | ||||
| 2 | A mail train had stopped to allow an adjustment to the locomotive when another train crashed into it in dense fog at . Two passengers were killed, with the deaths attributed to neglect of duty by the mail train's guard.[20] | ||||
| 18 | Unknown | Straffan rail accident, County Kildare, Ireland: Collision of goods train into rear of stationary passenger train.[21] | |||
| 7 | 7 | Reading Head-on collision between light engine running on wrong line and passenger train. | |||
| 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.[22] | |||
| 1 | 9 | Summerseat, north of Bury, Lancashire: Accrington-to-Bury passenger train runs into stationary goods train due to faulty signal.[23] | |||
| 3 | 9 | Stubbins, north of Ramsbottom, Lancashire: Northbound passenger train derails and overturns due to poorly installed temporary level-crossing.[24] | |||
| 2 | 1 | buffer stop collision | Salisbury A crash resulted in 2 deaths and 1 injury and a complete damaged train.[25] [26] | ||
| 11 | Lewisham rail crash (1857), South London: two trains collided | ||||
| 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". | |||
| 0 | 0 | Virginia Water, Surrey. Special train from Ascot ran into the back of another special train.[27] | |||
| 1 | 79 | Bishopton, Renfrewshire: Two passenger trains collide in a tunnel at Bishopton.[28] | |||
| 0 | 7 | Staines, Surrey. Signal passed at danger resulted in collision between 2 trains.[29] | |||
| 7 | 9 | Tottenham station Locomotive wheel failure led to derailment and collision with station platform.[30] | |||
| 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. | |||
| 10 | Atherstone rail accident. The Duke and Duchess of Montrose were passengers. | ||||
| 2 | Wooton Bridge Collapse Freight train, cast iron girders broke. | ||||
| 23 | 176 | Clayton Tunnel rail crash Train hit stationary train in tunnel, confusion over signalling. | |||
| 16 | Kentish Town rail accident Signalman's error: engineering ballast train draws out of siding into path of passenger train.[31] | ||||
| 0 | 12 | A goods train shunted into sidings broke down while crossing the track, and was subsequently hit by an excursion train.[32] | |||
| 1 | Portswood rail accident. | ||||
| 17 | Winchburgh rail crash Collision in deep cutting. | ||||
| 7 | King's Lynn: Derailment. | ||||
| 7 | Egham: A special train passed a signal at danger and collided with the train in front.[33] | ||||
| 0 | unknown | Putney. A passenger train collided with a goods train due to passing an unlit signal at danger.[34] | |||
| 5 | Tunnel.[35] | ||||
| 11 | 30 | Rednal rail crash Excursion train failed to see warning flag for track maintenance. | |||
| 10 | 49 | Staplehurst rail crash Train ran over bridge where rails removed for work. Charles Dickens was a passenger. | |||
| 2 | 2 | Welwyn Tunnel rail crash Collision and fire in tunnel. | |||
| 2 | Yanwath Collision of goods trains, one carrying gunpowder; subsequent explosion.[36] | ||||
| 8 | 33 | Rear-end collision | Warrington rail crash. | ||
| 33 | Abergele train disaster | ||||
| 4 | Dalton Junction rail crash
| ||||
| 7 | Long Eaton: Collision. | ||||
| 18 | Newark rail crash Excursion and freight train collided. | ||||
| 5 | 29 | St Nicholas Crossing, south of Carlisle Citadel: Freight train runs into side of up LNWR mail train on level junction.[37] | |||
| 3 | 13 | Tamworth rail crash Signalman's error diverted Irish Mail into siding where it crashed into river. | |||
| 1 | 0 | Bishopstoke collision: Stoker Edward Bist aged 24, Cattle Train heavy, wet rails, took longer to stop.[38] | |||
| 7 | Harrow Signal overrun in fog. | ||||
| 5 | 57 | Brockley Whins. | |||
| 15 | 59 | Stairfoot rail accident Train divided. | |||
| 8 | 3 | Wheel failure | Hatfield rail crash (1870) Coach wheel failure caused train separation. | ||
| 0 | 30 | Reading, Berkshire: Signalman's error results in passenger train colliding with goods wagons.[39] | |||
| 2 | Whiteball Tunnel. The two packers had incautiously gone up the tunnel on a trolley and were overtaken by the engine. | ||||
| 0 | 0 | Reading, Berkshire: Coupling failure resulted in mail train colliding with goods train in fog.[40] | |||
| 12 | Kirtlebridge rail crash. Collision. | ||||
| 13 | 30 | Wigan rail crash. Facing points moved under train. | |||
| 1 | Menheniot Head-on collision on single line. Misunderstood signalman's verbal order. | ||||
| 16 | Bo'ness Junction rail crash Express and mineral trains collide. | ||||
| 25 | 73 | Thorpe rail accident Head-on collision on single-track line. | |||
| 34 | 69 | Shipton-on-Cherwell train crash Coach tyre broke, derailed train on bridge over canal. | |||
| 5 | 40 | Kildwick and Cross Hills rail crash. | |||
| 14 | Abbots Ripton rail disaster Rear-end collision. Snow stuck slotted signals in clear position. | ||||
| 15 | Radstock rail accident Head-on collision on single track. Inadequate infrastructure and unqualified staff overloaded by holiday traffic.[41] | ||||
| 6 | , West Riding: St Pancras-to-Carlisle train derailed at . | ||||
| 5 | Arlesey, Bedfordshire: Passenger train struck derailed goods train. | ||||
| 5 | 17 | Morpeth 1877 Kings Cross-to-Edinburgh train derailed on curve at . | |||
| 13 | station: Collision. | ||||
| 75 estimate | 0 | Tay Bridge disaster. Bridge collapsed under train in a gale. | |||
| 5–9 | n/k | Burscough Junction Station Crash, Lancashire.[42] [43] | |||
| 8 | Wennington Junction rail crash Derailment. | ||||
| 7 | Blackburn: Collision | ||||
| 7 | 300 | 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.[44] | |||
| 5 | Inverythan crash Bridge collapsed under train. | ||||
| 0 | 2 | Penistone station: Accident during shunting. | |||
| 4 | 41 | Downton, Wiltshire: Derailment caused by excessive speed over poor quality track. | |||
| 4 | 0 | , Kent: Two freight trains collided. Trains worked under time interval system. | |||
| 24 | 60 | Penistone (Bullhouse Bridge) rail accident Engine broke axle, derailed, train fell off embankment. | |||
| 0 | 2 | Staines, Middlesex. Special train from Windsor ran into back of empty train due to excessive speed and passing a signal at danger.[45] | |||
| 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.[46] | |||
| 0 | 3 | 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.[47] | |||
| 0 | 20 | Penistone Engine hit train too hard when backing onto it to couple up. | |||
| 25 | 94 | Hexthorpe rail accident Express ran into stationary race train. | |||
| 1 | 11 | , Cheshire: Collision between trains going in opposite directions. | |||
| 1 | many | Penistone (Huddersfield Junction) Passenger train engine broke axle and derailed on points, then a mail train collided slightly with fallen engine. | |||
| 80 | 260 | Armagh rail disaster Runaway coaches collided with following train. | |||
| 4 | , Cumberland: Brakes misapplied. | ||||
| 10 | Norton Fitzwarren rail crash two trains collided due to signaller and train crew errors. | ||||
| 0 | 1 | Norwood Junction crash Cast-iron under-bridge broke under an express train. | |||
| 2 | 68 | Derby Junction rail crash two passenger trains collided at Derby Junction in Birmingham. | |||
| 5 | Esholt Junction rail crash two trains collide at junction, caused by unsafe procedures and a signal obscured by vegetation. | ||||
| 10 | 43 | Thirsk rail crash (1892) Rear-end collision, mistake by signalman, tired due to acute family crisis. | |||
| 13 | Llantrisant rail accident Train down an embankment. | ||||
| 5 | Reading, Berkshire: Slip coach collided with passenger train.[48] | ||||
| 14 | Chelford rail accident Wind blew a truck into path of express. | ||||
| 1 | 6 | St. Neots derailment Broken rail. | |||
| 1 | Snowdon Mountain Railway Runaway on hill derailed. | ||||
| 1 | Excessive speed on curve. | ||||
| 12 | Menheniot Reconstruction of Coldrennick Viaduct: workman's platform fell. | ||||
| 11 | Welshampton rail accident, Shropshire: Derailment. | ||||
| 1 | 31 | Tooths Bank, near Heathfield, Sussex: Excessive speed caused derailment.[49] | |||
| 1 | 2 | Penistone station, West Riding: Light locomotive collided with a coach. | |||
| 2 | Menheniot Reconstruction of Trevido Viaduct, accident raising a heavy timber. | ||||
| 7 | 8 | Barassie Junction, South Ayrshire: Mail train and passenger train collided at high speed at junction.[50] | |||
| 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.[51] | |||
| 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.[52] | |||
| 7 | 65 | Wellingborough rail accident, Northamptonshire: Luggage trolley rolled off platform onto rails and derailed passing express. | |||
| 9 | 26 | Wrawby Junction rail crash, Lincolnshire: Passenger train collided with derailed goods wagons hauling tree trunks.[53] | |||
| 7 | Glasgow Collision. | ||||
| 5 | 35 | Slough rail accident Express passed signal at danger and collided with local train standing in station. | |||
| 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.[54] | |||
| 0 | 51 | Twickenham. Two trains collided while 4 carriages were being shunted from one train to another due to confusion over signalling.[55] | |||
| 0 | 1 | Bowling Tunnel, Bradford, West Riding: Defective coupling causing freight train to divide causing collision.[56] | |||
| 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.[57] | |||
| 3 | 197 | Hackney downs, London: Defective axle led to an axle failure and derailment, the train split and collided with a structure.[58] | |||
| 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.[59] | |||
| 16 | 27 | Glasgow St Enoch rail crash Train ran into buffer stops. | |||
| 0 | 6 | station, Surrey: Derailment due to track defect.[60] | |||
| 5 | 94 | near Llanelli- Derailment due to excessive speed.[61] | |||
| 0 | 2 | - Collision- signalmans error.[62] | |||
| 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.[63] | ||||
| 7 | Cudworth, West Riding: Collision of two Midland Railway trains with a third, in fog. | ||||
| 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.[64] | |||
| 11 | 71 | Witham rail crash, Essex: Derailment over track being repaired. | |||
| 6 | Charing Cross roof collapse, London. | ||||
| 28 | 11 | 1906 Salisbury rail crash Express passenger train derailed due to speed on a tight curve at in the early hours and collided with a milk train. | |||
| 13 | 17 | Grantham rail accident, Lincolnshire: Derailment. | |||
| 2 | , East Riding: Passenger train overran signals and ran into the rear of a freight train. | ||||
| 22 | Elliot Junction rail accident, Forfarshire: Collision in blizzard. | ||||
| 0 | 34 | Collision between slip coach and main portion of a passenger train at Marks Tey. | |||
| 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.[65] | ||||
| 1 | 12 | Newport rail accident collision[66] | |||
| 18 | 33 | Shrewsbury rail accident Derailment at speed on curve. | |||
| 2 | ? | , Kent: Signal passed at danger.[67] | |||
| 3 | Cardiff Docks locomotive shed, Rhymney Railway, Wales: Safety valves, wrongly reassembled after repair, did not open, causing Boiler explosion.[68] | ||||
| 2 | 26 | West Hampstead Two passenger trains collided in fog.[69] | |||
| 1 | 0 | Braunton Road railway accident, Devon: 1 railwayman killed whilst opening level-crossing gates. | |||
| 7 | 65 | , Surrey: Rolling stock failure and derailment. | |||
| 12 | 17 | Hawes Junction rail crash Train hit 2 light engines; signalman's error: forgot train. | |||
| 11 | Pontypridd railway accident Rear collision. | ||||
| 15 | 50 | Ditton Junction rail crash, Lancashire, (now Cheshire): Train derailed, collided with a structure and then caught fire. | |||
| 2 | 2 | Chumhill railway accident 2 track workers killed; 2 injured. | |||
| 14 | 38 | 1913 Ais Gill rail accident Train passed red signal, rear-end collision; underpowered engines and bad coal. | |||
| 2 | 12 | , Fife.[70] Edinburgh-to-Aberdeen train collided with the Dundee goods train. | |||
| 1 | 9 | , Berkshire: Train passed signal at danger leading to collision with a second train. | |||
| 5 | 10 | Carrbridge rail crash, Scottish Highlands: Bridge collapsed whilst a train was passing over it following torrential rain. | |||
| 10 | 500+ | Ilford rail crash (1915) Driver passed signals at danger. | |||
| 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. | |||
| 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. | |||
| 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.[71] | |||
| 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. | |||
| 2 | 1 | , Brecknockshire: Signal passed at danger.[72] | |||
| 12 | 46 | Ratho rail crash, Queensferry Junction, West Lothian: Passenger express train collided with goods engine running light due to human error.[73] | |||
| 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 (where they were due to receive food rations) and were hit by another train travelling in opposite direction at . | |||
| 1 | 4 | Near, Shropshire: Signalman's error – head-on collision on single line.[74] | |||
| 7 | 46 | Little Salkeld rail accident on Settle-Carlisle line: London St. Pancras to Glasgow express ran into landslip in cutting blocking line at . | |||
| 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.[75] | |||
| 1 | 1 | , Kent: Two goods trains collided due to excessive speed.[76] | |||
| 0 | 11 | , Cheshire: Chester-to-Crewe passenger train hit buffer stops in bay platform. | |||
| 1 | 4 | , Suffolk: Passenger train hit buffer stops in siding after leaving station due to error by the train driver and signalman.[77] | |||
| 4 | 148 | Lostock Junction, Bolton: Collision between two Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway passenger trains due to signal passed at danger.[78] | |||
| 0 | 13 | , West Sussex: Brakes failed, train collided with buffers.[79] | |||
| 17 | 36 | Abermule train collision, Montgomeryshire: Head-on collision on single line, inattention to proper procedures. | |||
| 0 | 17 | Selby railway station, Yorkshire: Sidelong collision caused by passing danger signal due to driver error.[80] | |||
| 3 | 24 | . Collision caused by passing danger signal due to driver error, and moist tracks, which caused wheelslip.[81] | |||
| 0 | 0 | Ascot, Berkshire. Failure to apply brakes by staff while shunting resulted in light engine running away for approximately 6 miles.[82] | |||
| 1 | 8 | , Cheshire: Head-on collision between two Wirral Railway trains, failure to see a signal set at danger.[83] | |||
See also: History of rail transport in Great Britain 1923–1947.
| Date | Killed | Injured | Type | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 23 | , Nottinghamshire: Driver error[84] | |||
| 0 | 9 | Curry Rivel Junction, Somerset: Signalman Error[85] | |||
| 4 | 11 | , West Riding: Driver error[86] | |||
| 15 | 12 | Lytham rail crash Locomotive tyre fracture[87] | |||
| 0 | 21 | Carnarvonshire: Driver error, signal passed at danger.[88] | |||
| 9 | 6 | Fenny Stratford, Buckinghamshire: Collision with road vehicle.[89] | |||
| 1 | A wagon examiner was walking in the sidings when he lurched into the path of a train and was run over.[90] | ||||
| 9 | Naworth Crossing: Collision with charabanc on crossing.[91] | ||||
| 9 | , West Riding: Derailment and collision[92] | ||||
| 12 | 24 | Hull Paragon rail accident Head-on collision caused by signalling error. | |||
| 0 | 48 | Penistone Shunting engine passed signal meant for express, collision.[93] | |||
| 13 | Sevenoaks railway accident Derailment. | ||||
| 25 | 45 | Darlington rail crash head-on collision. Driver misunderstood a calling on signal during shunting and passed home signal at danger.[94] | |||
| 2 | London Bridge Driver of light engine misread signals. | ||||
| 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). | |||
| 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.[95] | |||
| 4 | 38 | Ashchurch Signal overrun.[96] | |||
| 2 | 0 | Doe Hill: Head-on collision. Signalman's error.[97] | |||
| 3 | Combe Down Tunnel accident Train crew overcome by smoke in a tunnel, runaway train crashed into a goods yard.[98] | ||||
| 1 | Rear collision, signalman incorrectly accepted next train. | ||||
| 6 | , Bedfordshire: Train derailed due to driver exceeding speed limit on slow lines.[99] | ||||
| 4 | 54 | Great Bridgeford, Staffordshire: Excessive speed[100] | |||
| 5 | , Surrey: Train derailed due to uncompleted track maintenance. | ||||
| 1 | 35 | Signalman's error[101] | |||
| 1 | 6 | Signalman's error[102] | |||
| 2 | 1 | , West Riding: Shunter/guard error caused head-on collision.[103] | |||
| 1 | A platelayer was hit by a train while clearing weeds from the track.[104] | ||||
| 9 | 11 | Port Eglinton Junction, Glasgow: Head-on collision.[105] | |||
| 12 | Winwick rail crash Collision at junction: overloaded signalman, mistake by his assistant lad. | ||||
| 13 | 85 | Welwyn Garden City rail crash rear-end collision caused by signalman's error. | |||
| 2 | 10 | Train collided with breakaway wagons. | |||
| 0 | 0 | Two passenger carriages derailed while shunting after becoming fouled on a set of points.[106] | |||
| 10 | 17 | Battersea Park rail crash Signalling error. | |||
| 35 | 179 | Castlecary rail crash Whiteout in snowy night and snow blocked points, rear-end collision. | |||
| 3 | 46 | Oakley Junction, Bedfordshire: Signalman's error[107] | |||
| 2 | 15 | Axle defect.[108] | |||
| 1 | 3 | , Lanarkshire: Driver error – excessive speed[109] | |||
| 1 | 161 | Glasgow: Passing Signal at danger caused by driver error, rear-end collision with another passenger train at Stobcross West Junction.[110] | |||
| 1 | Watford: Landslide, embankment slid onto track.[111] | ||||
| 27 | 56 | Norton Fitzwarren rail crash (1940) Driver read wrong signal, drove off end of track at . | |||
| 1 | A 15-year old railway employee was involved in an accident with a train, receiving severe head injuries.[112] | ||||
| 5 | 6 | Dolphin Junction, Slough: Signalman failed to notice train. | |||
| 9 | 45 | , Cheshire: Signalman's error.[113] | |||
| 23 | 57 | Eccles rail crash Train passed red signal in fog and wartime blackout, collision on crossing. | |||
| 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.[114] | |||
| 9 | 38 | Ilford rail crash Politician Frank Heilgers killed, signal passed at danger in fog.[115] | |||
| 1 | 7 | Near, Somerset: unconfirmed 1 killed, 7 injured: U.S. road transport vehicle crashed through bridge wall onto passing train.[116] | |||
| 2 | 29 | Soham rail disaster Explosion of ammunition wagon. | |||
| 22 | 27 | Ballymacarrett rail crash Collision caused by driver error; excess speed in fog.[117] | |||
| 2 | 26 | King's Cross railway accident Locomotive slipped to stand in tunnel, train rolled back into station.[118] | |||
| 43 | 64 | Bourne End rail crash excess speed on turnout. | |||
| 0 | 23 | Woking crash Driver and other errors Passenger train collides with rear of second passenger train.[119] | |||
| 3 | 10 | Northwood Middlesex: Collision due to excess speed in fog[120] | |||
| 20 | 21 | Lichfield rail crash Signal interlocking failed due to frozen points, goods train collided with rear of stationary passenger train. | |||
| 10 | 18 | Browney rail crash Goods train divided and crashed, the wreckage of which was hit by an express travelling in the opposite direction.[121] | |||
| 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.[122] | |||
| 1 | 13 | Mottingham Signaller error. Electric passenger train collided with a stationary light engine that was waiting to move into the sidings.[123] | |||
| 0 | 7 | Marshmoor, Hertfordshire: Derailment due to track defects[124] | |||
| 0 | 3 | Byfleet, Surrey: Derailment due to track defects[125] | |||
| 7 | 45 | Gidea Park: Signalman's error in fog, rear-end collision. | |||
| 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.[126] [127] | |||
| 5 | 64 | , Warwickshire: Derailment due to track defects.[128] | |||
| 18 | 118 | Doncaster Signalman's error, rear-end collision.[129] | |||
| 32 | 183 | South Croydon rail crash Signalman's error in fog, rear-end collision. | |||
| 27 | Goswick rail crash Excess speed on diversion, driver did not read warning notice.[130] | ||||
| 4 | 101 | , Surrey: Fogman's error[131] | |||
| 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.[132] |
See also: List of accidents on British Rail.
See also: History of rail transport in Great Britain 1948–1994.
| Date | Killed | Injured | Type | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | 30 | Winsford rail accident, Cheshire: Glasgow-to- train was stopped by passenger inappropriately pulling communication cord. Following train hit stopped train due to a signalman's error.[133] | |||
| 8 | 34 | Wath Road Junction: Buckled track derailed locomotive; train rolled down embankment.[134] [135] | |||
| 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.[136] | |||
| 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.[137] | |||
| 1 | A 16-year old railway employee was hit by a mail train.[138] | ||||
| 0 | 7 | Train fire near Penmanshiel Tunnel two coaches of Edinburgh-to-King's Cross express destroyed by fire. | |||
| 1 | A train fireman was hit by an express train.[139] | ||||
| 2 | Oakley (Bedfordshire) Freight train collides with stationary freight train on viaduct and plunges off it into a meadow[140] | ||||
| 0 | 68 | Preston, Lancashire: Passenger train from Southport collided with a stationary light engine after passing signals at danger[141] | |||
| 5 | 0 | near Beattock Summit: Fire on train.[142] | |||
| 6 | 35 | Penmaenmawr crash, north Wales: Up Irish Mail sleeper train from to collided with shunting locomotive at night due to signalman's error.[143] | |||
| 3 | 1 | Hopworthy, Holsworthy, Devon: Train hit tractor on farm crossing.[144] | |||
| 14 | 29 | Doncaster rail crash, West Riding: Southbound express passenger train to partly derailed on a poorly maintained crossover shortly after leaving Doncaster, one coach destroyed. | |||
| 0 | 22 | Train fire near Huntingdon four coaches of King's Cross-to-Leeds express destroyed by fire. | |||
| 3 | 41 | Newcastle rail crash between electric units due to starting when signal at danger.[145] | |||
| 15 | 26 | Weedon crash, Northamptonshire: Jammed locomotive axlebox caused derailment of -to- passenger train at speed | |||
| 0 | 34 | Blea Moor (Settle-Carlisle Line): Brake rod on locomotive tender detached and derailed train.[146] | |||
| 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. | |||
| 0 | 3 | Crewkerne Brake rod on locomotive tender detached and debris flew through coach.[147] | |||
| 6 | 0 | Ystrad Caron level-crossing near Tregaron: van with six occupants on crossing hit by non-scheduled train.[148] | |||
| 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. | |||
| 0 | 1 | Goswick derailment Glasgow-to-Colchester express passenger train derailed at Goswick.[149] | |||
| 1 | 1 | 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.[150] | |||
| 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. | |||
| 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.[151] | |||
| 11 | 157 | Milton rail crash, Oxfordshire: Passenger train from Treherbert to London Paddington derailed whilst passing over a crossover at excessive speed. | |||
| 13 | 35 | Barnes rail crash rear-end collision because signalman error. | |||
| 1 | 50 | Luton station accident Northbound passenger train in rear-end collision with stationary northbound passenger train. | |||
| 0 | 3 | Ludlow, Shropshire: Collision due to driver error.[152] | |||
| 1 | 25 | Welwyn Garden City rail crash, Hertfordshire: Signals ignored in fog, rear-end collision with another passenger train.[153] | |||
| 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. | ||||
| 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. | |||
| 10 | 89 | Dagenham East rail crash Signal passed at danger in thick fog by passenger train, rear-end collision with preceding passenger train | |||
| 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[154] | |||
| 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. | |||
| 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. Official Report | |||
| 0 | 22 | Ardsley: Collision due to inadequate signalling arrangements.[155] | |||
| 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. | |||
| 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.[156] | |||
| 4 | 1 | North Belton level-crossing, near Dunbar, East Lothian: Car with five occupants hit by two freight trains on a level-crossing.[157] | |||
| 0 | 6 | , Lancashire: Runaway train crashed through buffers and demolished a pair of terraced houses.[158] | |||
| 3 | 7 | , Shropshire: Signalman's error caused collision between passenger train travelling at 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.[159] | |||
| 2 | 42 | Pitsea, Essex: steam-hauled passenger train from London Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness overturned after running over catch points.[160] | |||
| 7 | 116 | Singleton Bank rail crash, Weeton, Lancashire: signalman let train enter section of line under engineer's possession, collided with ballast train. | |||
| 3 | 7 | Lincoln rail crash Excess speed on curve. | |||
| 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. | |||
| 2 | 3 | Bracebridge Gas Sidings, Lincoln: 2-car DMU travelling from Grantham to Lincoln Central collided with a stationary steam locomotive.[161] | |||
| 1 | 2 | Between Picton and, North Riding of Yorkshire: Freight train ran into the back of another freight train due to a signal passed at danger.[162] | |||
| 3 | 3 | Knowle and Dorridge rail crash Pullman train from to London Paddington ran into freight train being shunted across its path due to signalman's error. | |||
| 2 | 2 | Stanton Gate, Stapleford, Nottinghamshire: two freight trains collided due one passing a signal at danger.[163] | |||
| 1 | 31 | Shoreditch, east London: Rear coach of a -to- train derailed shortly after leaving terminus and is struck by a train travelling in the opposite direction.[164] | |||
| 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)[165] | |||
| 3 | 27 | , Cheshire: Train derailed crossing a temporary railway bridge over road widening work at well in excess of the temporary speed limit.[166] | |||
| 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.[167] | |||
| 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.[168] | |||
| 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.[169] | |||
| 1 | 4 | Millbrook, Bedfordshire Eight-car DMU from St. Pancras to Bedford travelling at when a fire broke out under the last coach. One passenger died and others injured after jumping from moving train to escape fire.[170] | |||
| 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.[171] | |||
| 2 | 15 | Elm Park, near Dagenham, Essex: Derailment- Unknown persons placed obstruction on line, derailed London-Fenchurch St.-to-Shoeburyness passenger train travelling at [172] | |||
| 0 | 11 | , Lancashire: Derailment caused by broken rail.[173] | |||
| 1 | 5 | 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.[174] | |||
| 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.[175] | |||
| 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.[176] | |||
| 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.[177] | |||
| 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 . | |||
| 5 | 18 | Connington South rail crash, Huntingdonshire: Signal operator wilfully defeated interlocking and moved facing points while passenger train was passing over them. | |||
| 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.[178] | |||
| 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 . | |||
| 1 | 23 | Foxhall Junction, Didcot: Derailment caused by train driver driving at excessive speed through crossover. (O. S. Nock was a passenger). | |||
| 49 | 78 | Hither Green rail crash Hastings-to-Charing Cross train derailed at (113 km/h) due to broken rail. | |||
| 11 | 27 | Hixon rail crash, Staffordshire: Express passenger train collided at level crossing with road-transporter carrying 110-ton transformer.[179] | |||
| 2 | 1 | Peterborough North: Freight train ran into back of another freight train due to driver error.[180] | |||
| 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 .[181] | |||
| 5 | 0 | Beckingham, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire: Stalled car hit by train on half barrier level-crossing situated between Gainsborough Trent junction and Beckingham (the crossing was subsequently closed and a by-pass built). All five occupants in the car were killed, including three children.[182] | |||
| 2 | 10 | Sandridge, Hertfordshire: Fire on diesel multiple unit after gearbox failure damaged fuel tank; poor maintenance.[183] | |||
| 2 | 3 | Castlecary, Stirlingshire: Locomotive running light ran into the back of a stationary six-car DMU standing at a signal.[184] | |||
| 4 | 11 | Marden rail crash,, Kent: Express passenger train ran past signal at danger in fog and collided with parcels train.[185] | |||
| 2 | 45 | Ashchurch, Gloucestershire: Bristol-to-Newcastle upon Tyne express passenger train hit part of a freight train which was derailing due to travelling at excess speed. The sides of several coaches on the passenger train were torn off and two coaches derailed.[186] | |||
| 2 | 30 | Monmore Green, Wolverhampton: Freight train struck head-on by a passenger train which passed signal at danger; subsequent fire.[187] | |||
| 6 | 121 | Morpeth rail crash (1969), Northumberland: Driver inattention led to night sleeper train derailing on tight curve at excessive speed (. | |||
| 1 | 9 | Roade Junction, Northamptonshire: 4-car Coventry-to-London-Euston EMU passenger train collided with a derailed freight train.[188] | |||
| 2 | 13 | Audenshaw Junction rail crash, Lancashire: Points changed under train; signalman tampered with equipment to speed up working. | |||
| 1 | 13 | , Kent: 10 coach EMU passenger train overran buffers, 13 on train injured, woman waiting in booking hall killed. Driver taken ill.[189] | |||
| 2 | 1 | Middlesbrough, North Riding: Freight train ran into rear of stationary freight train standing at a signal having not been warned by signalman, who should have refused permission to enter that section, of latter's presence.[190] | |||
| 2 | 26 | Tattenhall Junction, near Chester, Cheshire: School excursion train derailed; buckled track.[191] | |||
| 0 | 2 | Chester General station rail crash, Chester, Cheshire: Freight train vacuum brakes not connected, runaway train hit empty passenger stock in station.[192] | |||
| 6 | 126 | Eltham Well Hall rail crash, south-east London: Excessive speed on curve: driver intoxicated, assistant driver lacked route knowledge. | |||
| 0 | 11 | Copyhold Junction, just north of Haywards Heath on London-to-Brighton Line: Slow train from Haywards Heath passed signal at danger, moving onto through line from local line, struck by Victoria-bound fast train.[193] | |||
| 5 | 51 | Shields Junction near Glasgow: Collision between two passenger trains followed by fire; no clear cause – driver possibly suffered heart attack.[194] | |||
| 10 | 94 | Ealing rail crash, west London: Battery box door fell open, hit lineside equipment which operated points under train. | |||
| 1 | 35 | , Glasgow: EMU passenger train passed signal at danger and collided with DMU passenger train; driver error.[195] | |||
| 1 | 11 | Watford Junction rail crash, Hertfordshire: Express derailed by a steel stillage that had fallen from freight train, then hit by another express. | |||
| 6 | 67 | Nuneaton rail crash, Warwickshire: Excessive speed caused derailment of sleeper train. Temporary speed limit equipment faulty and inattention by driver. | |||
| 1 | 41 | Lunan Bay, Angus: Collision of recovery locomotive and failed train (10.15 Aberdeen to London-King's Cross). Confusion over exact location of failed train and excessive speed.[196] | |||
| 2 | 2 | Worcester Tunnel Junction, Worcester: Locomotive running light runs into the rear of a parcels train due to driver failure to comply with signalman's instructions.[197] | |||
| 0 | 0 | Reading, Berkshire: tire failure results in derailment of express train from Penzance to Paddington[198] | |||
| 1 | 8 | Chivers Occupation level-crossing, Cambridgeshire: Passenger train collided with lorry on unmanned level crossing.[199] | |||
| 0 | 0 | Between Wolverton and Bletchley. Derailment of express parcels train due to undetected continuous-welded rail buckle in hot weather.[200] | |||
| 2 | 10 | Farnley Junction, Leeds: Signalling problems resulting from technical work by engineering staff lead to head-on collision between passenger train and mail train.[201] | |||
| 12 | 19 | Taunton train fire, Somerset: Dirty linen stacked against electric heater, (victims died from carbon monoxide poisoning); locked doors. | |||
| 3 | 57 | Between Hassocks and, Sussex: Train ran into rear of another due to incorrect passing of both a caution signal and next signal (showing no aspect), as per rule book requirements.[202] | |||
| 3 | 5 | Naas level-crossing, Lydney, Gloucestershire: Lorry crossed unmanned level-crossing in front of Cardiff-to-Newcastle upon Tyne passenger train travelling at . Train crew and lorry driver killed.[203] | |||
| 1 | 9 | Hilsea, Portsea Island: Train struck overhanging crane on adjacent track. | |||
| 7 | 67 | Paisley Gilmour Street rail crash, Renfrewshire: Inattention by driver ("ding-ding, and away"); head-on collision. | |||
| 0 | 2 | Bushbury Junction, West Midlands: Camshaft failure of a switch diamond crossing caused the approaching Manchester-Piccadilly-to-Birmingham International express to derail at around, train lightly loaded. Driver did not return to his duties and died 1 year after the incident.[204] | |||
| 5 | 52 | Invergowrie rail crash, Perth and Kinross: Train stopped due to traction motor fire, following train ran into rear, poorly maintained signalling equipment. | |||
| 0 | 48 | , Hertfordshire: On a section of continuous welded rail a welded joint failed. 20:25 -to-Manchester-Piccadilly derailed at . Coaches derailed blocking the adjacent Up Fast Line and Watford DC Line.[205] | |||
| 0 | 21 | Holborn rail crash, central London: Inattention by driver, signal passed at danger, rear-end collision.[206] | |||
| 2 | 1 | Crewe, Cheshire: Freight train ran into rear of another freight train for reasons unknown.[207] | |||
| 1 | 23 | Ulleskelf, East Riding: Broken rail led to derailment of York-to-Liverpool passenger train. Two rearmost coaches rolled down steep embankment.[208] | |||
| 4 | 5 | Seer Green rail crash, Buckinghamshire: Signalman misread equipment, excess speed after driver authorised to pass signal at danger, rear-end collision. | |||
| 0 | 31 | Nairn's level-crossing, Forteviot, Perth & Kinross: Agricultural tractor and trailer grounded on farm crossing hit by express passenger train at . Entire train derailed.[209] | |||
| 1 | 2 | Linslade Tunnel, West Coast Main Line. At 2 am a northbound passenger train derailed when it struck permanent way material that had fallen from a previous train. Locomotive hit bridge pier, driver killed.[210] | |||
| 1 | 12 | Elgin, Moray: Broken rail leads to derailment of Aberdeen-to-Inverness passenger train, rearmost coach turned on its side and slid about 100 metres.[211] | |||
| 0 | 3 | Paddington Station approaches, London: Excessive speed approaching Paddington. Penzance-Paddington sleeper derailed, locomotive 50041 extensively damaged.[212] | |||
| 1 | 3 | Wrawby Junction rail crash, Lincolnshire: Passenger DMU train hit and partially derailed by freight train mistakenly signalled to proceed whilst line ahead in use by passenger train. | |||
| 0 | 35 | Morpeth rail crash, Northumberland: Excessive speed, sleeping car train derailed, driver intoxicated.[213] | |||
| 13 | 44 | Polmont rail crash, near Falkirk: Leading DBSO of Edinburgh-to-Glasgow train hit stray cow on line, whole train derailed. | |||
| 3 | 18 | Wembley Central rail crash, London: Collision due to signal passed at danger. Driver mentally incapacitated by medical condition.[214] | |||
| 3 | 68 | Eccles rail crash (1984), Greater Manchester: Signal passed at danger, rear-end collision. | |||
| 0 | 0 | Summit tunnel fire, Todmorden, West Yorkshire: Faulty axle box caused derailment of petrol tank wagons in tunnel, fire burned for over 36 hours. | |||
| 0 | 104 | Battersea Park Station, London: Gatwick Express passenger train passed signal at danger in fine, sunny conditions and ran into rear of commuter train that was accelerating away from another signal at which it had been held.[215] | |||
| 0 | 40 | Copyhold Junction, near Haywards Heath, Sussex: 4-car EMU passenger train passed signal at danger at night, passed over points and collided head-on with another 4-car EMU passenger train travelling in opposite direction.[216] | |||
| 1 | 31 | Chinley, Derbyshire: Multiple errors by inexperienced signalman led to passenger train being sent onto line where two coupled locomotives were waiting. Collision despite driver of lead waiting locomotives starting to reverse when he saw other train approaching.[217] | |||
| 0 | 2 | Motherwell: Defective and poorly maintained track coupled with hot weather. At approximately 16.31 the 16.10 Glasgow-Central-to-London-Euston passenger train became derailed on the approach to Motherwell Station. | |||
| 9 | 11 | Lockington rail crash, East Yorkshire: Road vehicle on level-crossing. | |||
| 1 | 60 | Colwich rail crash, Staffordshire: Head-on collision at converging route. Driver misread signals after failing to read a notification regarding recent signalling changes. | |||
| 2 | 2 | Bridgeton, Glasgow: 2 empty passenger trains collided in tunnel during shunting movement killing 2 crew. Signaller cleared signal for reversing train which did not pass signal after 5 minutes, then set new route for incoming train. Reversing train passed signal, now at danger, and collided with incoming train. Deceased guard did not keep adequate lookout, signaller did not check driver of reversing train knew signal had been reset to danger.[218] | |||
| 23 | Kensal Green rail crash: Network SouthEast Class 313 collided with rear of Bakerloo line train following driver's misinterpretation of a signal.[219] | ||||
| 4 | River Towy rail crash, near Llandeilo: flood washed bridge away; train fell into river. | ||||
| 0 | 14 | Forest Gate, London: two trains collided. | |||
| 1 | 16 | St. Helens rail crash, Merseyside: Train derailed leaving station. | |||
| 35 | 484 | Clapham Junction rail crash, London: Rear-end collision, oncoming train ran into wreckage: wrong-side signalling failure due to wiring error. | |||
| 5 | 88 | Purley Station rail crash, London: Missed distant signal, overshot signal at danger; rear-end collision, part of train down embankment. | |||
| 2 | 53 | Glasgow Bellgrove rail crash Inattention by driver ("ding-ding, and away"); head-on collision. | |||
| 0 | Train collided with a piece of rail left on the track, probably by vandals, and the locomotive was derailed.[220] | ||||
| 0 | 15 | Two expresses collided outside the station.[221] | |||
| 0 | 41 | Reading, Berkshire: Signal passed at danger resulted in collision between 2 passenger trains[222] | |||
| 1 | 36 | Stafford rail crash (1990) Train signalled into an occupied section, rear-end collision, alcohol and excessive working hours possible causes.[223] | |||
| 2 | 542 | Cannon Street Station rail crash, London: Passenger train hit buffer stop.[224] | |||
| 4 | 22 | Newton (South Lanarkshire) rail accident, Glasgow: head-on collision at junction. | |||
| 0 | 186 | Severn Tunnel rail crash Rear-end collision, cause uncertain. | |||
| 1 | 0 | Morpeth rail crash 1992, Northumberland: Light engine hit train in rear, driver misunderstood signaller's instruction. | |||
| 0 | 1 | , Kent: Derailment due to driver error, excessive speed.[225] | |||
| 2 | 0 | Greenock rail crash Train derailed by vandals placing concrete blocks on track. | |||
| 0 | 1 | Morpeth rail crash 1994, Northumberland: excessive speed on curve. | |||
| 5 | 13 | Cowden rail crash, Kent: Signal passed at danger; head-on collision. |
| Date | Killed | Injured | Type | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 30 | 1995 Ais Gill rail accident | |||
| 0 | 5 | , North Ayrshire: Brake failure led to high-speed collision at terminus station.[227] | |||
| 0 | 1 | Royal Oak tube station Collision.[228] | |||
| 1 | 22 | 1996 Stafford rail crash, Staffordshire: axle box failure, train derailed across other tracks, mail train hit wreckage.[229] | |||
| 1 | 69 | Watford rail crash, West Coast Main Line, Watford: Signal passed at danger, head-on collision with empty stock.[230] | |||
| 0 | 4 | Bexley derailment, London: Derailment due to overloaded train and poor track maintenance.[231] | |||
| 7 | 139 | Southall rail crash, Great Western Main Line, : Signal passed at danger, collided with freight train crossing path. Driver inattention and faulty Automatic Warning System equipment.[232] | |||
| 0 | 9 | , Bedfordshire: Wheel failure caused by metal fatigue. East Coast mainline express derailed south of the station at approximately and came to a halt 400 metres north of the station.[233] | |||
| 0 | 4 | Spa Road Junction rail crash, London: Train passed signal at danger, converging collision, driver error.[234] | |||
| 0 | 31 | 1999 Winsford railway accident, Cheshire: Train passed red signal; rear-end collision.[235] | |||
| 31 | 417 | Ladbroke Grove rail crash Great Western Main Line, London: Driver passed signal SN109 at danger; head-on collision and fire; allegations made at subsequent Inquiry[236] that signal SN109 was hard to see.[237] | |||
| 4 | 70+ | Hatfield rail crash East Coast Main Line, Hertfordshire: Derailment caused by broken rail; restaurant coach hit overhead lines (catenary) stanchion.[238] | |||
| 0 | 1 | , Bristol: Driver injured due to incorrect brake operation an empty mail train passed 2 red lights and hit the back of a loaded coal train.[239] | |||
| 10 | 82 serious | Great Heck Rail Crash East Coast Main Line, near Selby, North Yorkshire: Driver of Land Rover fell asleep and ran down embankment onto track where it was hit by passenger train and a freight train.[240] | |||
| 1 | 14 | Nocton railway disaster, Lincolnshire: 1 killed in van, 14 injured on train after van crashed through wall and fell onto track. | |||
| 7 | 76 | Potters Bar rail accident, East Coast Main Line, Hertfordshire: Undetected points fault derailed train, coaches rolled coming to rest on platforms.[241] [242] | |||
| 0 | 31 | Southall East: Broken fishplate caused HST coach to derail, throwing ballast through windows.[243] | |||
| 3 | 5 | Near Pershore, Worcestershire: Minibus carrying farm workers struck by Hereford-to- London-Paddington train on a farm level crossing. Lineside telephone to contact signaller not used. Network Rail had visited site 2 months earlier and reminded farmer of safety obligations.[244] | |||
| 1 | 0 | , Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway: Train driver killed, car on level crossing.[245] | |||
| 4 | 3 | Tebay rail accident West Coast Main Line, Cumbria: Runaway work trolley due to faulty brakes; ran down railway trackworkers.[246] [247] | |||
| 7 | 71 | Ufton Nervet rail crash Reading-to-Taunton Line, Berkshire: A man committed suicide by parking his car on a level crossing, which the inbound InterCity 125 struck, derailing the train.[248] [249] | |||
| 1 | 0 | Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway Train driver killed, car on level crossing.[250] | |||
| 2 | 0 | , Essex: two teenage girls using the station's pedestrian level crossing killed by a train.[251] [252] | |||
| 1 | 0 | Copmanthorpe, North Yorkshire: Road vehicle crashed through fence onto railway derailing Virgin CrossCountry Super Voyager train.[253] [254] | |||
| 1 | 88 | Grayrigg derailment, Cumbria: Train derailed over a set of faulty points.[255] | |||
| 0 | 3 | Barrow upon Soar train crash, Leicestershire: Collision between train and an iron footbridge toppled just beforehand by a ballast tipper lorry. | |||
| 0 | 2 | Carrbridge derailment, Scottish Highlands: Freight train derailed just past Carrbridge railway station, Rail Accident Investigation Branch confirmed accident was snow and ice working its way into the space between the brake blocks, line was closed until 13 January. Other possible contributions to the accident was that ploughed snow was left to accumulate too close to the side of the tracks, and the speed of passing trains may have led to snow being pulled into the brake mechanisms. | |||
| 1 | 0 | Welsh Marches Line, Moreton-on-Lugg, Herefordshire: an Arriva Trains Wales train struck two cars on a level-crossing between and . One of the cars' passengers was killed.[256] [257] Investigation concluded that the signaller had opened the barriers as the train approached, believing it had already passed, after being distracted by a telephone call.[258] | |||
| 0 | 23 | Little Cornard derailment, Suffolk: sludge tank wagon at telephone-operated works level crossing hit passenger train. | |||
| 0 | 6 | Oxshott, Surrey: a cement mixer lorry fell off a road bridge, striking a Guildford-to-London train. 1 passenger and the lorry driver were seriously injured; others received minor injuries.[259] [260] | |||
| 1 | 0 | 16-year-old girl killed when she fell between departing train and platform. Guard who gave the signal to depart while girl was leaning on train convicted of manslaughter and given 5-year jail sentence.[261] [262] | |||
| 0 | 8 | Norwich station, Norfolk: 8 passengers taken to hospital after an Abellio Greater Anglia DMU crashed at (13 km/h) into two other stationary DMUs in the station. Insufficient braking due to driver inattention. RAIB report indicated employer failed to spot drivers previous lapses in concentration.[263] | |||
| 1 | 0 | Malton, North Yorkshire: 77-year-old man killed after his car was struck on a level crossing by a First TransPennine Express train from to .[264] | |||
| 0 | 18 | Plymouth, Devon: Eighteen injured when Great Western Railway collided with an InterCity 125 power car at .[265] | |||
| 0 | 12 | Roudham, Norfolk: An Abellio Greater Anglia train from Norwich to Cambridge hit a tractor on a level crossing. The tractor driver suffered serious injuries. Train driver and ten passengers sustained minor injuries.[266] | |||
| 0 | 5 | Dymchurch, Kent: Train hit a tractor on a level crossing. Train driver and 4 passengers injured.[267] | |||
| 0 | 2 | Watford Junction: A London Midland train from Milton Keynes to Euston de-railed following a landslide and was hit by an oncoming train in a tunnel.[268] | |||
| 2 | 0 | Margam, South Wales: Two railway workers were killed after being struck by a Great Western Railway train near Port Talbot Parkway.[269] Following confusion about duties, staff worked without a lookout.[270] | |||
| 0 | 0 | Eastleigh Derailment A freight train derailed after leaving Eastleigh, blocking the line between Southampton Central and Basingstoke. No-one was hurt but the derailment caused major disruption to local train services.[271] | |||
| 3 | 6 | Stonehaven derailment an Abellio ScotRail Inter7City HST operating the 06:38 -to- derailed at Carmont, near Stonehaven following a landslip.[272] | |||
| 0 | 0 | Llangennech derailment a freight train carrying diesel derailed and caught fire at around 23:20 BST. About 100 people living within 800 m of the fire were evacuated from their homes. No injuries or fatalities were reported.[273] | |||
| 0 | 1 | Kirkby train crash, Merseyside: A Merseyrail Class 507 overran the buffers at Kirkby Station and derailed. Twelve people suffered minor injuries.[274] | |||
| 0 | 14 | 2021 Salisbury rail crash A South Western Railway service collided with a Great Western service in Fisherton Tunnel on its approach to Salisbury station. Train was unable to stop at signal due to leaves on the line and crashed into a second train.[275] | |||
| 1 | 1 | Nottinghamshire Police sergeant Graham Saville was struck by a train whilst attempting to save a distressed man on the tracks near Balderton. Sergeant Saville was taken to hospital in critical condition whilst another man was sent to hospital with non-life threatening injuries after being electrocuted. Saville died in hospital five days later.[276] | |||
| 29 September 2023 | 0 | 2 | Aviemore railway station 60103 Flying Scotsman collided with stationary carriages at 6:05pm in Aviemore, Scotland, injuring two people.[277] |
There were 732 deaths from 146 accidents in 46 years when there was national rail provided by the state between 17 April 1948 and 15 October 1994. There were 92 deaths from 50 accidents in 28 years when there was privatised rail between 31 January 1995 and 24 August 2021.
See also: List of London Underground accidents. Despite its age and high usage, train related accidents which have involved passenger fatalities are exceptionally rare. The last major fatal collision was the Moorgate tube crash in 1975. Derailments in the period 2003–2004 killed no-one, although the Chancery Lane derailment in 2003 led to a closure of the Central line whilst urgent safety checks were undertaken.
Fatal accidents have occurred involving trams; the worst took place in Dover in 1917, when a tram ran away down a hill and overturned, killing 11 people and injuring 60. In 2016, a tram derailed on a sharp bend and overturned in Croydon, killing seven people and injuring 50.
For much of the 19th and 20th centuries, working on the United Kingdom's railway was very dangerous for many staff. In 1900, for example, for every one passenger killed or injured in a crash, there were seven worker casualties. This amounted to 15,698 staff injuries and 631 fatalities.[278]
The 'Railway Work, Life & Death' project is uncovering details of British and Irish staff accidents before 1939 and making them freely available, via a database of transcriptions of staff accident investigations and other related records. At March 2023, the database documented nearly 50,000 individuals.[279]
The National Railway Museum has an online exhibit, looking at railway safety—with a focus on the staff.[280]