| Ilford rail crash | |
|---|---|
| Details | |
| Date | 1 January 1915 |
| Time | 08:40 |
| Location | Ilford railway station |
| Country | England |
| Rail line | Great Eastern Main Line |
| Cause | Signal passed at danger |
| Statistics | |
| Trains | 2 |
| Deaths | 10 |
| Injuries | 500 complained of injury |
| List of UK rail accidents by year | |
The Ilford rail crash occurred on 1 January 1915 at Ilford railway station on the Great Eastern Main Line in what was then Essex (though now part of the London Borough of Redbridge).
On New Year's Day 1915, the crew of the 07:06 Clacton to London Liverpool Street express failed to see that the distant and home signals at Ilford East signal box were at danger.[1] The signalman tried to attract their attention by shouting and waving a red flag from the signalbox, but to no avail, and the express collided violently with the 18-carriage 08:20 local train from Gidea Park to Liverpool Street. It completely destroyed the 8th coach and damaged 5 others; 10 passengers were killed and over 500 complained of injuries. The official report[2] noted that the accident would have been much less likely if some form of Automatic Warning System had been in use, and recommended its introduction.