Today in 1915. The worst rail disaster in Britain took place at Quintinshill (Gretna Green) in Scotland, killing 227 people and injuring 246.
Today in 1915. The worst rail disaster in Britain took place at Quintinshill (Gretna Green) in Scotland, killing 227 people and injuring 246. The chain of disaster started when a troop train collided with the stationary commuter train which had been stopped to allow the a delayed Sleeper Service a chance to make up the time lost. This commuter train had been moved from Northbound line to the Southbound mainline rather than into the actual passing loops, these where occupied by two freight trains. The commuter train was now directly in the path of a troop train carrying 500 men of the 1/7th Leith Battalion of the Royal Scots on route for Gallipoli. All troop trains have clear line status, something that is still enforced today should the need arise. This also means that it’s travelling at full speed and smashed head on into the commuter train. Just a minute later the Sleeper Service from Euston to Glasgow collided with the wreckage of the troop and commuter train....