BLOCK ON THE WAVERLEY ROUTE. – About 3.15 on Saturday afternoon a goods train of 35 waggons, bound from Haymarket to St Boswells, drew up on approaching Glenesk signal cabin, owing to the signal being shut against it. A second goods train, consisting of 3 waggons, intended for Dalkeith, was, it appears, permitted to get on to the same section, and this train ran into the rear of the south-bound goods with considerable force, as the driver, being on the curve below the bridge at the King’s gate, did not readily notice the obstruction. the brake van of the south-going train, weighing as it did over 10 tons, fortunately kept the metals, but the concussion forced five or six waggons – the most of them empty cattle trucks – into the six-foot way. The guard had a minute or two previous to the accident gone forward to inquire the cause of the stoppage, otherwise he would have been considerably shaken. The 3.12 train from Eskbank had just passed shortly before the accident, otherwise the catastrophe would have been of a much more serious nature, as the waggons “fouled” the down line. As soon as possible word was conveyed to Dalkeith and Millerhill, and arrangements were made for working the traffic on the single line. Several trains for the south were delayed at Millerhill, and considerable inconvenience was caused the passengers. the line was cleared shortly after five o’clock.
– The Scotsman, Monday 3rd March, 1902, p.6.
BLOCK ON THE SOUTH LINE.
—————
PASSENGER TRAFFIC INTERRUPTED.
An accident causing considerable delay to traffic occurred last night at Kirtlebridge Station, on the Caledonian Railway. A block from Carlisle was displaced, causing the front wheels of the waggon to leave the rails about a mile north of Kirkpatrick. The driver of the train, however, proceeded to Kirtlebridge, when the coupler of the disabled waggon broke, causing the waggons to leave the rails, which completely wrecked the lines. Six of the waggons were completely wrecked, while both sides of the platform near to the point-box was much damaged. The early morning trains from London had to be run by Gretna on the Glasgow and South-Western Railway, and the trains from Glasgow and the North last evening were transferred at Dumfries via Lockerbie on to the same Company’s line. the line was cleared about four o’clock.
– Dundee Evening Telegraph, Wednesday 5th March, 1902, p.5.
MISHAP ON THE HIGHLAND RAILWAY. – A serious accident occurred on the Highland Railway at Lochluichart, on the Skye line on Friday morning. While a special goods train was on its way to Kyle of Lochalsh, a wagon, loaded with stones, had jumped off the rails, and as the train was going at a rapid rate, it was not observed until nearly a mile had been traversed. great damage has been done to the permanent way, and for over a mile the rails were torn up, and many wagons were damaged. Fortunately the engine-driver and guard had received no injuries. Several of the railway officials went to the scene of the accident, and a staff of workmen and the steam crane were sent on to Lochluichart. the damage is very considerable, and the train service will be greatly impeded. When the permanent way on the Skye section of the Highland Railway was undergoing repair on Friday after the smash at Lochluichart, a second accident took place at Strome Ferry, which further delayed the traffic. One or two waggons of a heavily-laden fish train from Kyle of Lochalsh left the metals when taking the points. The staff at the station were able to set matters right, however, and the assistance of the breakdown squad was not required. The repairs at Lochluichart were smartly executed under the supervision of Mr Roberts, engineer in chief; Mr MacEwen, traffic manager; and Mr Drummond, locomotive superintendent.
– North Star and Farmers’ Chronicle, Thursday 6th March, 1902, p.4.
ACCIDENT TO A PADANARAM MAN. – William Lawson, belonging to Padanaram, but now resident at Alloa, where he is engaged as a signalman on the North British Railway line, met with a very serious accident on Monday evening. Lawson was proceeding along the line on the night in question when he heard a train approaching from behind. He made to step aside, but slipped and fell, with the result that the train passed over his left leg. He was removed to the County Hospital. Lawson’s right leg is artificial, so that the result of the accident is that he has now been deprived of both legs.
– Forfar Herald, Friday 7th March, 1902, p.5.
Accident on Caledonian railway. – About three o’clock on Saturday afternoon a mishap occurred at Woodmuir Junction. While a train was engaged in shunting operations, the engine and two waggons, laden with coal, went off the rails into the six-foot way, and thus caused a block on the line. The trains from Edinburgh and Glasgow were run up to the portion where the block occurred and the passengers were safely transferred from the one train to the other. Traffic in consequence was greatly delayed. The flying squad from Edinburgh was soon on the spot and had the line cleared about 10 p.m. Fortunately little damage was done to the permanent way.
– West Lothian Courier, Friday 7th March, 1902, p.8.
SERIOUS ACCIDENT. – On Monday night a railway signalman named Lawson, who was for a number of years signalman at Bonnybridge Station, Caledonian Railway, met with a serious accident at Langcarse junction, near Alloa, being run down by a passing train when he was going off duty. His left leg was taken off. What makes the case sadder is the fact that Lawson lost his right foot several years ago while acting as porter at Larbert Station.
– Kilsyth Chronicle, Saturday 8th March, 1902, p.3.
RAILWAY ACCIDENT AT FORFAR.
—————
PLUMBER SERIOUSLY INJURED.
—————
An employé of the Railway Company, William Malcolm, a plumber, residing at Zoar, met with a serious accident. His services were required in connection with some burst pipes bordering the line between Kirriemuir and Balmuckety Level Crossing, and he had been walking down the line from Kirriemuir, when he was overtaken by the two o’clock passenger train, the engine of which struck him violently on the left side, throwing him down the track about a dozen yards, where he landed heavily on his right arm and head. The driver of the N.B. goods train who passed the spot about half an hour afterwards first saw Malcolm, and he reported the fact at Kirriemuir, and Mr Salmond, the stationmaster, immediately despatched an engine and van to bring Malcolm in. Dr. A. K. Mill was summoned, and, after attending to the man’s injuries, ordered his removal to Forfar Infirmary. It is believed that several of Malcolm’s ribs are fractured. He has also sustained a cut on the head and various contusions.
– Dundee Courier, Saturday 8th March, 1902, p.5.
A man named Duston, residing at Linlithgow, was killed on the railway some distance to the west of the town on Friday. he was seen to wander on to the line and immediately thereafter was knocked down by a passenger train and instantaneously killed.
– Perthshire Advertiser, Monday 10th March, 1902, p.4.
SURFACEMAN’S TERRIBLE DEATH.
—————
FATALITY AT TAY BRIDGE STATION.
—————
A shocking fatality occurred at Tay Bridge Station last evening. While the 4.16 train from Ladybank was approaching the cleaning-sheds one of the surfacemen, who was crossing the line at the time, was seen by several of the workmen to be knocked down by the engine, and the train passed over him. Several of the men who had witnessed the accident immediately made for the spot, but found the man was past all aid. His head was terribly cut, while his right arm was almost severed from his body. the body was smashed, and his right leg cut off below the knee. the unfortunate man was still alive when the workers approached, but was unconscious, and expired almost immediately. he was identified as Andrew McBayne, a fireman surfaceman, who resided at 10 West Dock Street, Dundee.
– Dundee Courier, Tuesday 11th March, 1902, p.6.
POLICEMAN RUN DOWN ON THE RAILWAY.
Constable David Nicol, who resides at 9 St John Street, Edinburgh, had a narrow escape from very serious injury this afternoon. He was walking along the line between Abbeyhill Station and the London Road Junction, when the 1.41 train from Dalkeith came upon him unawares. He was knocked down by the train, but fortunately he fell clear of the rails, and was not dangerously hurt. Nicol, who is an elderly man, was in uniform at the time of the accident. he was removed to the Royal Infirmary in an ambulance waggon.
– Edinburgh Evening News, Wednesday 12th March, 1902, p.3.
A SHOEMAKER KILLED ON THE RAILWAY. – William Diston, residing in lodgings in Linlithgow, was on Friday afternoon run over and killed by an express passenger train on the North British Railway. The body was shockingly mutilated, the head and one of the arms being completely severed from the trunk.
…
A CURIOUS RAILWAY ACCIDENT. – The Highland railway line was blocked for several hours on Friday morning through an unusual accident which occurred at Dalguise. A goods train from Perth to Inverness pulled up rather suddenly at the distant signal, with the result that the rear portion of the train forced a furniture van over the tender of the engine, while another waggon left the rails. Comparatively little damage was done.
– Southern Reporter, Thursday 13th March, 1902, p.4.
ANOTHER FIRE AT THE RAILWAY STATION. – Another fire occurred at the old Goods Station at the Links on Tuesday night, and completely destroyed this dilapidated building. Shortly before midnight the railway servants on night duty noticed flames and smoke proceeding from the east end of the old platform, and at once raised the alarm. The offices and platform were composed principally of old dry wood, and the flames spread with great rapidity. The Fire Brigade were early on the scene. Profiting by their former experience, they utilised the Swilcan Burn to obtain a supply of water. They were unable to save the old erection; but they prevented the flames from spreading westwards along the platform and doing damage to the waggons lying near it. The station-master’s house is situated close to the station, but fortunately, owing to the direction of the wind, it escaped damage by the flames. Although the fire occurred at so late an hour, hundreds of spectators were soon on the spot. The buildings were occupied as temporary offices for the goods department, and all the books and other papers were destroyed. £200 is estimated as about the amount of damage done. the Goods Station was very badly arranged, and it would have had to be reconstructed at an early date. The origin of the fire has not yet been discovered, and an inquiry was made on Wednesday. Including the fire at the passenger station, no fewer than four fires have broken out on the Railway Company’s property within a year. If the Company take cognizance of these facts they might reconsider their decision to reconstruct the new passenger station almost entirely of wood. Three railway officials from Edinburgh and two from Dundee were in St Andrews on Thursday making further inquiries into the origin of the fire. It was learned that several boys were seen in the vicinity on the night of the fire; but there is little in this to give any clue. the old platform and offices had almost reached a stage resembling match wood. There were very probably accumulations of paper and other dry materials below the platform. By these inflammable materials snorting engines were passing all day. Is there no clue in this fact?
– St Andrews Citizen, Saturday 15th March, 1902, p.4.
RAILWAY FATALITY AT SPRINGBURN. – A railway fatality was yesterday reported to Glasgow police. The driver of a goods train between Glasgow and Portobello, happening to stop about two hundred yards south-east of Springburn Railway Station, heard moaning near by, and going forward, found a man lying on the lines. The injured man was in a terrible condition, his left leg being severed at the thigh. He was conveyed to the station, where he died before the arrival of a doctor.
– The Scotsman, Wednesday 19th March, 1902, p.8.
A Curious Accident. – While working on the railway between Montrose and Lunan Bay on Monday a North British Railway servant named James Davidson was struck by a piece of coal from a passing engine. One of his knees was injured, and he was conveyed home to Montrose.
…
Express Train Delayed. – Owing to an accident to the engine of the express train arriving at Montrose at 7.27, the train did not come in until about 8.30. The boiler tubes of the engine had burst immediately before the train reached Arbroath. At that station the engine was disconnected from the train, and the Bervie goods engine was coupled on to the train, which ran at a slow rate of speed to Montrose. A pilot engine was there attached to the train, and it thereafter proceeded for Aberdeen, being an hour late.
– Dundee Courier, Wednesday 19th March, 1902, p.6.
RAILWAY SMASH NEAR DUNDEE.
—————
GOODS TRAIN LEAVES THE LINES.
—————
TWENTY WAGGONS DERAILED.
—————
NARROW ESCAPE OF SOUTH-GOING TRAIN.
A railway accident of a very serious character occurred at Buddon Station on the D. And A. Joint Railway between eleven and twelve o’clock last night, resulting in the derailment of over twenty waggons and very serious damage to the permanent way. both lines were blocked for a number of hours. A south-going express approached about a minute after the accident took place, had it not been for the vigilance of the driver, a serious collision would have resulted.
The mishap, which occurred about eleven o’clock, was a most serious affair. The immediate scene was about 300 yards west of Barry Station. The train’s implicated in the smash were the Glasgow to Aberdeen and Aberdeen to Leith Walk Trains. During the night, when the lines are clear of passenger traffic, the goods trains run at a fairly high speed, and it was while travelling at a good rate past Buddon that the mishap befel the Aberdeen train. The Glasgow train comprising about 6 waggons, was also laden with coal for the most part, and also a large quantity of goods. The Aberdeen train was also heavily freighted. Shortly after the train from Glasgow had passed Buddon the axle of one of the waggons gave way, with the result that some 21 waggons were derailed, both up and down lines being blocked.
About this time the train from Aberdeen to Leith Walk approached. Driver Cowie became aware just as he reached the waggons that something was seriously wrong, but before he could draw up his train his engine had crashed into the waggons, and sustained somewhat serious damage. the driver also received a severe shock and slight injuries to his head. The Aberdeen train immediately put back to Barry, and breakdown squads were telegraphed for to Edinburgh, Ladybank, and Dundee. About seven o’clock in the morning the steam crane from Edinburgh arrived, and the work of clearing the line was commenced. The damage to the permanent way was very serious, the rails having been torn up, and many of the sleepers smashed to matchwood.
The squads immediately set about clearing the up line, and after a considerable amount of hard work succeeded in clearing the track. They next directed their attention to the down line, and the steam crane was brought into operation. When the waggons were got into position on to the line they were run down to Barry and placed in the siding.
The back portion of the down train, which had escaped the mishap, proceeded to Aberdeen.
– Dundee Evening News, Saturday 22nd March, 1902, p.3.
CRANE ACCIDENT AT WEMYSS BAY.
About nine o’clock this morning Henry Gardner, a craneman, residing at the huts, Inverkip, and employed in connection with the doubling of the Wemyss Bay railway line, was engaged lifting a stone by means of a crane, when one of the legs of the crane fell upon his head and inflicted a deep wound. He was brought by train to Upper Greenock Station, and thence by ambulance to the Infirmary.
– Greenock Telegraph and Clyde Shipping Gazette, Monday 24th March, 1902, p.2.
SUBSIDENCE ON N.B.R.
By an extensive subsidence of the North British Railway line at a point to the west of Portobello Station, the eastern and southern traffic to and from Edinburgh was yesterday seriously disorganised. The subsidence which began on Sunday night, was caused by the workings in an adjoining clayfield. None of the runs were abandoned, but all trains were delayed, some to the extent of an hour and a half. It is expected that some days will elapse before the line can be restored to its normal condition. Meantime traffic is conducted by the aid of a loop line, which, although running alongside the damaged permanent way, remains almost intact.
– Dundee Evening Telegraph, Tuesday 25th March, 1902, p.3.
PECULIAR ACCIDENT AT TAY BRIDGE STATION.
—————
MAN FALLS ASLEEP ON THE RAILS.
—————
A railway accident of a peculiar character occurred at a waggon lye at the south side of the Tay Bridge Station last night, whereby an old man, who gave his name as David Steven, and who was dressed as a labourer, had his feet almost torn off by a goods train. Shortly before nine o’clock shunting operations were proceeding at this waggon lye, and several waggons were being backed on the line nearest the goods station there, when the engine-driver was startled by loud cries as of someone in pain. He immediately stopped the engine, and on proceeding to the rear of the waggons he discovered a man lying at the side of the rails. Blood was flowing freely from his feet, and a stretcher was immediately procured, and the unfortunate man was conveyed to the parcel office at the station. Steven’s injuries were of a very serious nature, both feet having been run over and almost cut off. His injuries were dressed by several of the members of the ambulance corps at the station, and had it not been for the prompt assistance rendered by them the victim of the accident would have bled to death. Steven was conveyed to the Infirmary in the ambulance van, where he lies in a critical condition. It is supposed that Steven had wandered into the waggon lye, and, with his head resting against the wall of the goods station and his feet on the rails, had fallen asleep. Owing to the darkness his position had not been noticed until too late.
– Dundee Courier, Thursday 27th March, 1902, p.6.
RAILWAY FATALITY IN EDINBURGH. – Donald Auld (46), a surfaceman, who lived at 5 Smithfield Street, Edinburgh, was killed yesterday afternoon by being run over by a train. He was at work on the North British railway about seventy yards to the east of Haymarket tunnel – opposite West Princes Street Gardens – and failed to get out of the way of a passenger train from Larbert, with the result that he was killed almost instantaneously.
SUDDEN DEATH AT THE WAVERLEY STATION. – John Stewart, a clerk, about sixty years of age, who resided at 15 West Claremont Street, Edinburgh, died suddenly yesterday while descending the stair from Princes Street to the Waverley Station. He was observed to fall, and when the onlookers went to assist him they found that he was dead. The body was removed to the city mortuary, where it was identified last evening. Deceased had been suffering from heart disease.
– The Scotsman, Saturday 29th March, 1902, p.8.
RAILWAY ACCIDENT. – Between seven and eight o’clock on Tuesday morning, while an engine was taking a load of waggons from Milnwood Colliery siding at Bellshill, it jumped the points leading from the Caledonian Glasgow and Edinburgh main line to the siding, and fell down the embankment. The fireman was thrown from the engine into a field at the foot of the embankment, while the driver was thrown into the corner of the box of the engine. With the exception of a slight shaking, neither was in any way injured. Two steam cranes and a large number of men arrived shortly after the accident. Passenger traffic was only slightly delayed, the Glasgow trains being run on the Edinburgh line. It was at this point that 25 waggons and goods vans were derailed a few months since.
– Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser, Saturday 29th March, 1902, p.6.
FATALITY IN FIFE.
—————
YOUNG GIRL KILLED ON THE RAILWAY.
—————
A distressing fatality occurred on Saturday evening at the Cowdenbeath Station, on the main line between Dunfermline and Perth.
A girl named Mary Galloway, nine years of age, stepdaughter of James Donald, miner, 25 Croall Place, Leven, while crossing the railway, was run down by a pilot engine. The girl and her mother had come from Leven with the intention of proceeding to Kelty.
They had to change carriages at Cowdenbeath. The mother crossed to the north platform by way of the overhead bridge, but the girl attempted to cross the rails at the end of the platform. Unnoticed by her a pilot engine returning from Kelty to Dunfermline was approaching. She was knocked down by the engine, and was so badly mutilated that death must have been instantaneous.
The accident which happened at half-past five o’clock in the evening, was witnessed by a number of people, and created a painful sensation.
