Sutton Coldfield rail crash
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In the Sutton Coldfield train disaster of 23 January 1955, an express passenger train from York to Bristol, England, took the sharp curve into Sutton Coldfield railway station at about 55-60 mph (88-96 km/h) or twice the permitted speed of 30 mph. The train derailed and collided with the platforms, severely damaging the carriages, engine and buildings. 17 people, including the train crew, were killed and 43 injured.
The exact cause was never fully established, although it was clearly driver error. The accident occurred in broad daylight, and the driver knew the line well, although all normal service trains stopped at Sutton Coldfield. There was no sign of mechanical failure. The train was running well, making up some lost minutes, there was a gradient to climb after the station, and the engine (like most steam trains at the time) was not fitted with a speedometer. It seems therefore that the driver knew he was exceeding the speed limit but did not realise it would be dangerous (similarly to Salisbury 1906). The engine was riding roughly and this may have contributed to him misjudging the speed. One important consequence was that lineside speed restriction signs were universally adopted; previously there had been no visual reminder to the driver of speed restrictions on many routes. The Inspector also suggested the use of speed recorders, as in France, but this was not adopted.
