This list of railway accidents in the United Kingdom provides details of significant railway crashes in the United Kingdom involving railway rolling stock, but not other railway related incidents such as the Oxford Circus fire of 1984 or the King's Cross fire of 1987 or suicides.
Tables are sortable, click on heading to sort by the selected column.
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The worst incident was the Quintinshill rail disaster in 1915 with 226 dead and 246 injured; the 1952 Harrow and Wealdstone rail crash resulted in 112 deaths and 340 injured. The death toll from the 1957 Lewisham rail crash was 90, for the 1889 Armagh rail disaster was 80[1] and the 1857 Tay Bridge disaster was 75.
Several major disasters have taken place in London Underground stations though not involving trains; the Kings Cross fire of 1987 (31 killed); the Bethnal Green crush disaster of 1943 (173 killed; the as yet unopened station was being used as an air raid shelter); the flooding of Balham tube station by a bomb in 1940, killing 68, and similar bomb disasters at Bank (56 killed) and Marble Arch (20 killed) and Bounds Green (19 killed) – see link; and the 39 civilians and 3 terrorists who died in the 7 July 2005 London bombings.
The collapse of the London Charing Cross station roof on 5 December 1905 also falls in this category; 6 people were killed.
| Date | Killed | Injured | Type | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 December 2011 | 0 | 3[2] | West Wales Line, Whitland, Carmarthenshire, 19 December 2011: The 0908 Arriva Trains Wales service from Milford Haven to Manchester Piccadilly (1W21), Class 175 Coradia unit 175002 struck a hay lorry at the Llanboidy half-barrier level crossing on a minor road near a spot called Crossing Cottage at 0950. Three people were injured, but none majorly. It was thought the barrier arm came down on the lorry. The driver of the hay lorry was arrested.[2][3] | |
| 21 November 2011 | 0 | 1 | East Coast Main Line, Killingworth, Newcastle upon Tyne, 21 November 2011: The 1700 East Coast service from Edinburgh Waverley to London King's Cross (1E21) struck a glancing blow to a 12 year old girl at a level crossing at around 1830, severing her arm. The arm was retrieved, and surgeons attempted to reattach the arm.[4] | |
| 25 September 2011 | 0 | 2 | Fen Line, Saddlebow, Norfolk, 25 September 2011: First Capital Connect Class 365 Networker EMU 365532, forming the 10:10 service from Kings Lynn to London King's Cross (1T58), hit a tractor towing a trailer full of vegetables on a level crossing between Kings Lynn and Downham Market. Both drivers required medical assistance, but none of the roughly 40 passengers were injured. The front of the train was damaged, as were two overhead line support stanchions.[5][6][7] | |
| 27 July 2011 | 0 | 0 | West Coast Main Line, Edinburgh, 27 July 2011; First ScotRail Class 170 Turbostar unit 170393 derailed at Princes Street Gardens between Edinburgh Waverley and Haymarket.[8][9] The front four wheels of the last carriage derailed - the investigation is set to focus on a set of points the train had just passed over.[10] Neither the driver nor the conductor were injured,[11] and the line was reopened fully at 4:30am on 29 July 2011. | |
| 5 February 2011 | 0 | 0 | Caldervale Line, Halifax, West Yorkshire, 5 February 2011; Northern Rail Class 158 Express Sprinter DMU 158851, forming the 0555 service from Hebden Bridge to Leeds (2T02) derailed after strucking rocks on the line at Dryclough Junction, just south of Halifax station at 0607. None of the eight passengers and two crew were injured. The rocks had been deposited there due to a retaining wall collapsing during heavy rain.[12] | |
| 31 January 2011 | 0 | 0 | West Wales Lines, Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire, 31 January 2011; Arriva Trains Wales Class 175 Coradia DMU 175108, forming the 08:30 Manchester Piccadilly-Milford Haven service (1V75), hit a trailer at about 13:30. The trailer was being towed by a tractor, but had been left on the line while the driver, John Watkyn-James, fed his horses. Watkyns-James was sentenced to 200 hours of community service and a 36 month suspended prison term at Swansea Crown Court in October 2011.[13] | |
| 5 November 2010 | 0 | 6 | New Guildford Line, Oxshott, Surrey, 5 November 2010; a cement mixer lorry fell off a road bridge, striking the 15:05 Guildford to London Waterloo service (2G46) composed of South West Trains Class 455 units 455741 and 455913. One passenger and the lorry driver were seriously injured; four other passengers received minor injuries.[14] | |
| 28 December 2010 | 0 | 0 | Caldervale Line/North TransPennine, Calderbrook, Greater Manchester, 28 December 2010; First TransPennine Express Class 185 Pennine DMU 185144 was partly derailed at 01:23 in the Summit Tunnel between Littleborough and Walsden due to striking ice whilst working the 0038 Manchester Airport to York service (1P02). There were no injuries, but the unit was damaged. The unit was working the 0038 Manchester Airport to York service, and was to travel through the tunnel after the Christmas break. Ice had built up in the ventilation shafts, then melted and fallen onto the tracks in lumps as large as 25 tonnes. It took until 04:40 for the train to be evacuated, during which time ice continued to fall onto the train.[15] | |
| 17 August 2010 | 0 | 10 |
Main article: 2010 Little Cornard derailment
Gainsborough Line, Bures, Suffolk, 17 August 2010; National Express East Anglia Class 156 SuperSprinter DMU 156417 collided with a lorry on a level crossing on Sewage Works Roads in Little Cornard whilst working the 17:31 Sudbury - Marks Tey service (2T25). Ten people were injured, three seriously. Three passengers and the driver were trapped in the wreckage. |
|
| 6 June 2010 | 0 | 8 |
Main article: Falls of Cruachan derailment
West Highland Line, Falls of Cruachan, Argyll and Bute, 6 June 2010; a ScotRail Class 156 SuperSprinter unit 156499 derailed near Falls of Cruachan due to a landslide whilst working the 18:20 Glasgow Queen Street - Oban service (1Y27). Eight people were injured.[16] |
|
| 20 February 2010 | 0 | 0 | Midland Main Line, East Langton, Leicestershire, 20 February 2010; East Midlands Trains Class 222 Meridian unit 222005 derailed at East Langton near to Market Harborough at high speed whilst working service the 14:55 London St Pancras – Sheffield service (1F45). Two wheels of a carriage derailed, but all of the seven carriages remained upright and the train was stopped safely with no injuries.[17] | |
| 22 January 2010 | 0 | 1 | Far North Line, Dingwall, Highland, 22 January 2010; Class 158 Express Sprinter unit 158701 derailed at Dingwall whilst working the 17:15 Inverness to Ardgay service (2H75), leaving one passenger injured. | |
| 16 January 2010 | 1 | 0 | Welsh Marches Line, Moreton-on-Lugg, Herefordshire, 16 January 2010; Arriva Trains Wales Class 175 Coradia unit 175103 struck two cars on a level-crossing between Hereford and Leominster while working the 08:30 Manchester Piccadilly – Milford Haven service (1V75). One of the cars' passengers was killed.[18][19] The line was closed until the end of the following day. An investigation concluded that the signaller had erroneously opened the barriers as the train approached, believing it had already passed, after his attention had been taken up by a telephone call. | |
| 4 January 2010 | 0 | 0 | Highland Main Line, Carrbridge, Highlands, 4 January 2010; a freight train, hauled by DB Schenker Class 66 locomotive 66048 (for Stobart Rail) derailed at Carrbridge and ran down an embankment. An investigation is under way.[20] | |
| 2 December 2009 | 1 | 0 | Near Leeds railway station, 2 December 2009. Network rail employee killed after being struck by train returning to depot while he was working trackside at Whitehall junction in Wortley, Leeds, west of Leeds railway station.[21] | |
| 2 September 2009 | 1 | 0 | Cambrian Coast Line, Penrhyndeudraeth, 2 September 2009. Network Rail locomotive 97303 hit a car on a private level crossing just west of Penrhyndeudraeth station while working an ERTMS test, killing the car's occupant, 83 year old Sally Hudson, who lived in a house only accessible via the level crossing. A reduced service operated on the line for a day, with trains terminating at Harlech and Porthmadog.[22] The coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death. It was noted that the telephone on site had not been used before the crash.[23] | |
| 18 February 2008 | 0 | 0 | North Rode, Congleton, 18 December 2008; a 4×4 rolled onto the southbound track and was hit by an oncoming train. Part of the train derailed, leaving several passengers with minor injuries. Also caused severe delays and many cancellations.[24][25] | |
| 19 July 2008 | 0 | 3 | Shrewsbury to Chester Line, Weston Rhyn, Shropshire, 19 July 2008; an Arriva Trains Wales Class 158 Express Sprinter unit (158824) crashed into a tractor at a railway crossing whilst working the 16:46 Gobowen – Chester service. There were 3 injuries, but no deaths. | |
| 1 February 2008 | 0 | 3 | Midland Main Line, Barrow-upon-Soar, Leicestershire, 1 February 2008; an East Midlands Trains Class 158 Express Sprinter unit (158856) working the 06:19 Nottingham to Norwich service hit a footbridge which had been knocked down by a tipper lorry delivering track ballast to land by the running track. The lorry driver and train driver were injured; the train driver suffered serious leg injuries. The only passenger injured suffered minor injuries.[26][27] | |
| 24 December 2007 | 0 | 0 | Beattock Summit, 24 December 2007: Train carrying 240 people hit a sleeper while travelling at 80 mph. No reported injuries. | |
| 10 May 2007 | 0 | 0 | East Coast Main Line, King Edward VII Bridge, 10 May 2007; an EWS freight train derailed, causing major disruption along the Newcastle upon Tyne section of the East Coast Main Line. The cause was a combination of the track condition and a twisted wagon frame.[28] | |
| 1 March 2007 | 1 | 0 | Swainsthorpe, 1 March 2007; 1 killed; car on level crossing | |
| 23 February 2007 | 1 | 88 |
Main article: Grayrigg derailment
West Coast Main Line, Grayrigg, Cumbria, 23 February 2007; one killed, train derailed over a set of faulty points. |
|
| 25 September 2006 | 1 | 0 |
Main article: Copmanthorpe rail crash
East Coast Main Line, Copmanthorpe, Yorkshire, 25 September 2006; one killed; car crashed through lineside fence onto track, train hit wreckage. |
|
| 5 December 2005 | 2 | 0 | Elsenham, Essex, 5 December 2005; two teenage girls were killed by a train while using the station's pedestrian level crossing. | |
| 10 July 2005 | 1 | 0 | Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway, 10 July 2005; 1 killed - train driver: car on level crossing.[29] | |
| 30 June 2005 | 0 | 0 |
Main article: Gerrards Cross tunnel collapse
Chiltern Main Line, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, 30 June 2005; collapse of tunnel during construction, narrowly avoiding commuter train, no injuries. |
|
| 6 December 2004 | 2 | Peterborough to Lincoln Line, Helpringham, Lincolnshire, 6 December 2004; 2 people killed on an unmanned level crossing by a Central Trains Class 153 Super Sprinter DMU.[30] | ||
| 6 November 2004 | 7 | 150 |
Main article: Ufton Nervet rail crash
Reading to Taunton Line, Ufton Nervet, Berkshire, 6 November 2004; 7 killed, 150 injured: car on level crossing, (suicide).[31] |
|
| 19 October 2004 | 0 | 0 | Bristol to Exeter Line, Backwell, 19 October 2004; a First Great Western Class 143 Pacer unit 143613 working a Weston-super-Mare to Bristol Temple Meads service operated by First Great Western caught fire just outside Nailsea & Backwell. All passengers manage to escape safely from the blaze and fled onto tracks. | |
| 15 February 2004 | 4 | 3 |
Main article: Tebay rail accident
West Coast Main Line, Tebay, Cumbria, 15 February 2004; 4 killed; 3 injured: runaway work trolley caused by misuse (faulty brakes); ran down railway trackworkers. |
|
| 16 October 2003 | 0 | 1 | Stafford to Manchester Line, Norton Bridge, Staffordshire, 16 October 2003; 1 injured: An intermodal train hauled by two Freightliner Class 86 locomotives collided with another stationary freight train, after passing a red signal. The cabs of the leading locomotive were badly damaged but the driver escaped with only minor injuries, although he had to be cut from the wreckage by the fire brigade. | |
| 16 September 2003 | 0 | 0 |
Main article: King's Cross derailment
East Coast Main Line, London King's Cross, 16 September 2003; GNER train derailed after routing onto track with missing rail. |
|
| 3 August 2003 | 1 | 0 | Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway, 3 August 2003; 1 killed - train driver: car on level crossing[32] | |
| 7 July 2003 | 3 | 0 | Pershore, Worcestershire, 7 July 2003; 3 killed. | |
| 8 April 2003 | 1 | 0 | Cross Country Route, Dunhampstead (between Ashchurch and Bromsgrove), 8 April 2003; 1 killed (car driver); Royal Mail train from Plymouth to Low Fell struck car on level crossing (suicide).[33][34] | |
| 24 November 2002 | 0 | 31 | Southall East, 24 November 2002; 31 injured: broken fishplate caused HST coach to derail; throwing ballast through windows. | |
| 10 May 2002 | 7 | 76 |
Main article: Potters Bar rail accidents
East Coast Main Line, Potters Bar, 10 May 2002; 7 killed, 76 injured: undetected points fault; derailed carriage rolled, coming to rest on platforms.[35] |
|
| 28 February 2002 | 1 | 14 |
Main article: Nocton railway disaster
Nocton, Lincolnshire, 28 February 2002; 1 killed in van, 14 injured on train; after van crashed through wall and fell onto track |
|
| 2 July 2001 | 0 | 1 | Tisbury, 2 July 2001; 1 injured (train driver): Lorry became stuck on level crossing and was struck by commuter train.[36][37] | |
| 12 March 2001 | 0 | 0 | Hither Green (2001), 12 March 2001; train passed signal at danger; hit train from behind. (Distinguish from 1967 crash.) | |
| 28 February 2001 | 10 | 82 serious |
Main article: Selby rail crash
East Coast Main Line, Selby (Great Heck), 28 February 2001; 10 killed and 82 seriously injured after and the driver of a Land Rover fell asleep and ran down embankment onto track where it was hit by passenger train and also a freight train. |
|
| 28 November 2000 | 0 | 1 | Welwyn Garden City, 28 November 2000; 1 injured (train driver): empty Class 313 EMU derails; narrowly missing a drop into the bus station. | |
| 1 November 2000 | 0 | 1 | Lawrence Hill, Bristol, Cross Country Route, 1 November 2000; driver injured; due to incorrect brake operation an empty mail train passed 2 red lights and hit the back of a loaded coal train.[38] | |
| 17 October 2000 | 4 | 35 |
Main article: Hatfield rail crash
East Coast Main Line, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, 17 October 2000; 4 killed, 35 injured: derailment caused by broken rail; restaurant coach hit overhead catenary stanchion. |
|
| 5 October 1999 | 31 | 523 |
Main article: Ladbroke Grove rail crash
Great Western Main Line, Ladbroke Grove, 5 October 1999; 31 killed, 523 injured: driver passed signal at danger; head-on collision and fire; allegations that signal (SN109) was hard to see.[39] |
|
| 23 June 1999 | 0 | 31 |
Main article: Winsford rail crash
23 June 1999; 31 injured: train passed red signal; rear-end collision |
|
| 8 January 1999 | 0 | 4 |
Main article: Spa Road Junction rail crash
8 January 1999; 4 injured: train passed signal at danger, converging collision: driver error |
|
| 19 September 1997 | 6 | 150 |
Main article: Southall rail crash
Great Western Main Line, Southall, 19 September 1997; 6 killed, 150 injured: signal passed at danger; collided with freight train crossing path; driver inattention and faulty Automatic Warning System equipment.[40] |
|
| 4 February 1997 | 0 | 4 |
Main article: Bexley derailment
4 February 1997; 4 injured: derailment; overloaded train and poor track maintenance |
|
| 8 August 1996 | 1 | 69 |
Main article: Watford rail crash
West Coast Main Line, Watford; 8 August 1996; 1 killed, 69 injured: driver passed signal at danger, head on collision with empty stock[41] |
|
| 8 March 1996 | 1 | 22 |
Main article: Stafford rail crash (1996)
8 March 1996; 1 killed, 22 injured: axle box failure, train derailed across other tracks, mail train hit wreckage |
|
| 10 November 1995 | 0 | 1 | Royal Oak tube station, 10 November 1995; 1 injured | |
| 11 July 1995 | 0 | 0 | Largs railway station, 11 July 1995; train hit temporary buffers during station rebuild; wreckage travelled through shops at the front of the station onto Largs Main Street. | |
| 31 January 1995 | 1 | 30 |
Main article: Ais Gill rail crash (1995)
31 January 1995; 1 killed, 30 injured: train hit landslide; oncoming train hit wreckage.[42] |
| Date | Killed | Injured | Type | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 October 1994 | 5 | 12 | Cowden rail crash, 15 October 1994; 5 killed, 12 injured: train passed dirty poorly-lit signal at danger; head-on collision.[43] | |
| 27 July 1994 | 0 | 1 | Morpeth rail crash 1994, 27 June 1994; 1 injured: excessive speed on curve | |
| 25 June 1994 | 2 | 0 | Greenock rail crash, 25 June 1994; 2 killed: train derailed by concrete blocks placed on track; vandalism | |
| 6 September 1993 | 0 | 0 | Maidstone East railway station, 6 September 1993; freight train derailed on curve due to excessive speed; driver later failed a breathalyser test | |
| 13 November 1992 | 1 | 0 | Morpeth rail crash 1992, 13 November 1992; 1 killed: light engine hit train in rear; driver of light engine misunderstood signal operator's instruction | |
| 3 December 1991 | 0 | 1 | Appleford level crossing, 3 December 1991; 1 injured | |
| 7 December 1991 | 0 | 100 | River Severn rail crash, 7 December 1991; 100 injured: rear-end collision, cause uncertain.[44] | |
| 21 July 1991 | 4 | 22 | Newton (South Lanarkshire) rail accident, 21 July 1991; 4 killed, 22 injured: head-on collision at junction.[45] | |
| 8 January 1991 | 2 | 240 | Cannon Street Station rail crash, 8 January 1991; 2 killed, 240 injured: train hit buffer stop: allegations of driver being intoxicated by a non-prescribed drug | |
| 4 August 1990 | 1 | 35 | Stafford rail crash (1990), 4 August 1990; 1 killed, 35 injured: train passed signal at danger, rear-end collision: drunk driver, allegations excessive working hours | |
| 19 June 1990 | 3 | 0 | Carr Lane, Doncaster, 19 June 1990: 1 adult and 2 children killed when struck by HST on unprotected pedestrian crossing. | |
| 30 November 1989 | 0 | 15 | Newcastle-upon-Tyne Central Station rail crash, 30 November 1989; 15 injured | |
| August 1989 | 0 | 0 | West Ealing, August 1989; Class 50 locomotive was derailed by a foreign object that had been placed on the line by vandals. | |
| 6 March 1989 | 2 | Glasgow Bellgrove rail crash, 6 March 1989; 2 killed: Inattention by driver ("ding-ding, and away"); head-on collision.[46] | ||
| 4 March 1989 | 5 | 90 | Purley Station rail crash, 4 March 1989; 5 killed, 90 injured: Missed distant signal, overshot signal at danger; rear-end collision, part of train down embankment.[47] | |
| 12 December 1988 | 35 | 100+ | Clapham Junction rail crash, 12 December 1988; 35 killed, 100+ injured: rear-end collision, oncoming train ran into wreckage: wrong-side signalling failure due to wiring error.[48] | |
| 11 November 1988 | 1 | 18 | St. Helens rail crash, 11 November 1988; 1 killed, 18 injured | |
| March 1987 | 0 | 0 | Docklands Light Railway March 1987; no injuries: train under test crashed through buffers at Island Gardens station. | |
| October 1987 | 0 | 14 | Forest Gate rail crash, October 1987; 14 injured: 2 trains collided | |
| 19 October 1987 | 4 | River Towy rail crash, 19 October 1987; 4 killed: river flood washed bridge away; train fell in river.[49] | ||
| 1986 | 0 | 4 | North Berwick rail crash, 1986; 4 injured | |
| 26 September 1986 | 2 | 2 | Bridgeton, Glasgow, 26 September 1986; 2 killed, 2 injured. 2 empty trains collided at 09:08 in tunnel during shunting movement. Driver of incoming train and guard at leading end of the reversing train killed. Driver of reversing train and guard of incoming train injured. Signaller set route and cleared signal for reversing train which did not pass signal after 5 minutes. Signal for the reversing train was reset to danger and a new route set for incoming train. Reversing train started off against the signal and collided with incoming train. Deceased guard held responsible for not keeping adequate lookout. Signaller partly responsible for not checking driver of reversing train knew the signal had been reset to danger.[50] | |
| 19 September 1986 | 1 | 60 | Colwich rail crash, 19 September 1986; 1 killed 60 injured: head-on collision at converging route: driver failed to read a notification regarding recent signalling changes; misread signals[51] | |
| 26 July 1986 | 9 | 11 | Lockington rail crash, 26 July 1986; 9 killed, 11 injured; road vehicle on level crossing | |
| 15 June 1986 | 0 | 2 | Motherwell, 15 June 1986; 12 injured: defective and poorly maintained track coupled with hot weather. At approximately 16.31 on Sunday, 15 June 1986, the 16.10 Glasgow Central to London Euston passenger train became derailed on the approach to Motherwell Station | |
| 9 March 1986 | 1 | 31 | Chinley, 9 March 1986; 1 killed 31 injured | |
| 20 December 1984 | 0 | 0 | Summit tunnel fire, 20 December 1984; 0 injured: faulty axle box caused derailment of petrol tanker train in tunnel; fire | |
| 4 December 1984 | 3 | 68 | Eccles rail crash (1984), 4 December 1984; 3 killed, 68 injured: Inattention by driver; signal passed at danger, rear-end collision | |
| 11 October 1984 | 3 | 18 | Wembley Central rail crash, 11 October 1984 3 killed, 18 injured: collision: signal passed at danger; driver's mental state incapacitated by medical condition occurring | |
| 30 July 1984 | 13 | 44 | Polmont rail crash, 30 July 1984; 13 killed, 44 injured: leading DBSO of Edinburgh to Glasgow train hit stray cow on line, total train derailed | |
| 24 June 1984 | 0 | 35 | Morpeth, 24 June 1984; 35 injured: excessive speed: sleeping car train derailed: driver intoxicated.[52] | |
| 9 December 1983 | 1 | 3 | Wrawby Junction rail crash, 9 December 1983; 1 killed, 3 injured: passenger train derailed with front coach onto its side and freight collided after accidentally signalled through at danger | |
| 4 May 1982 | 0 | 31 | Forteviot, 4 May 1982; 31 injured: vehicle on farm crossing, train derailed | |
| 11 December 1981 | 4 | 5 | Seer Green rail crash, 11 December 1981; 4 killed, 5 injured: signalman misread equipment; excess speed after driver authorised to pass signal at danger; rear-end collision, snow | |
| July 1980 | 0 | 1 | Holborn rail crash, July 1980; 1 injured: Inattention by driver; signal passed at danger,
rear-end collision |
|
| 22 October 1979 | 5 | 52 | Invergowrie rail crash, 22 October 1979; 5 killed, 52 injured: preceding train stopped due to traction motor fire; following train ran into rear; poorly maintained signalling equipment.[53] | |
| 16 April 1979 | 7 | 67 | Paisley Gilmour Street rail crash, 16 April 1979; 7 killed, 67 injured: Inattention by driver ("ding-ding, and away"); head-on collision | |
| 10 March 1979 | 2 | Penmanshiel Tunnel, 10 March 1979; 2 killed: tunnel on the East Coast Main Line collapsed during works to increase the loading gauge, killing 2 construction workers. Tunnel abandoned and new alignment cut | ||
| 1 March 1979 | 3 | 5 | Naas level crossing, Gloucester, 1 March 1979: 3 killed, 5 injured: waste lorry driver crossed unmanned crossing in front of Cardiff to Newcastle passenger train, train crew and lorry driver killed.[54] | |
| 19 December 1978 | 3 | 57 | Between Hassocks and Preston Park, 19 December 1978; 3 killed, 57 injured: preceding train stopped at red signal north of Patcham Tunnel, following train ran into rear; inattention by driver, failure to slow after caution signal then failure to stop at protecting signal showing no aspect due to failure (as per rule book requirements) | |
| 6 July 1978 | 12 | 19 | Taunton train fire, 6 July 1978; 12 killed, 19 injured: dirty linen stacked against electric heater, (victims died from carbon monoxide poisoning); locked doors.[55] | |
| 1 | Several | Shippea Hill; a passenger train collided with a lorry on an unmanned level crossing. 1 killed, several injured. | ||
| 26 October 1975 | 1 | 41 | Lunan Bay; 26 October 1975, Relief engine (40 111) ran into the back of a failed train (10.15 Aberdeen to London (King's Cross)). Confusion over exact location and excessive speed. 1 fatality, 41 injured.[56] | |
| 6 June 1975 | 6 | 67 | Nuneaton rail crash, 6 June 1975; 6 killed, 67 injured: derailed from excessive speed: temporary speed limit equipment faulty and inattention by driver | |
| 28 February 1975 | 43 | 74 | Moorgate Underground rail crash, 28 February 1975; 43 killed, 74 injured: Driver failed to stop for unknown reason, train ran through station at speed into blind end of tunnel.[57] | |
| 23 January 1975 | 1 | 11 | Watford Junction rail crash, 23 January 1975; 1 killed, 11 injured: express derailed by a steel stillage that had fallen from a previous freight train; then hit by another express | |
| 11 June 1974 | 1 | 4 | Pollokshields East, Glasgow, 11 June 1974; 1 killed 4 injured | |
| 19 December 1973 | 10 | 94 | Ealing rail crash, 19 December 1973; 10 killed, 94 injured: battery box door fell open, hit lineside equipment which operated points under train.[58] | |
| 30 August 1973 | 5 | 51 | Shields Junction near Glasgow, 30 August 1973; 5 killed, 51 injured; collision between two passenger trains followed by fire; no clear cause, although driver possibly suffered heart attack | |
| 16 December 1972 | 0 | 11 | Copyhold Junction, just north of Haywards Heath on London to Brighton Line, 16 December 1972; none killed, 11 injured: slow train from Haywards Heath passed signal at danger, moving onto through line from local line and being struck by Victoria-bound fast train.[59] | |
| 1 June 1972 | 6 | 126 | Eltham Well Hall rail crash, 11 June 1972; 6 killed, 126 injured: excessive speed on curve: driver intoxicated, assistant driver inexperienced and with no route knowledge | |
| 8 May 1972 | 0 | 2 | Chester General Rail Crash station, 8 May 1972; 2 injured: train vacuum brakes not connected to loco leading to runaway freight train (partly fuel oils) hitting empty passenger stock in station, extensive collision and fire damage to rolling stock and fire destroyed part of station roof. | |
| 2 July 1971 | 2 | 26 | Tattenhall Junction, 2 July 1971; 2 killed, 26 injured: school excursion train derailed; buckled track | |
| 13 March 1971 | 0 | 1 | Haughley Green, 13 March 1971; 1 injured (driver): power unit of locomotive no. 1562, which had been uprated on an experimental basis, exploded while hauling a Liverpool Street to Norwich express[60] | |
| 20 May 1970 | 2 | 13 | Audenshaw Junction rail crash, 20 May 1970; 2 killed, 13 injured: points changed under train; signalman tampered with equipment to speed up working | |
| 7 May 1969 | 6 | 121 | Morpeth (1969), 7 May 1969; 6 killed, 121 injured: driver inattention, excessive speed on curve | |
| 8 April 1969 | 2 | 30 | Monmore Green, Wolverhampton, 8 April 1969; 2 killed, 30 injured: freight train struck head-on by a passenger train which accidentally passed a signal at danger; subsequent fire | |
| 4 January 1969 | 4 | 11 | Marden rail crash, Marden, Kent, 4 January 1969; 4 killed, 11 injured: express passenger train ran past signal at danger in fog and collided with a parcels train | |
| 12 June 1968 | 2 | 10 | Sandridge, Hertfordshire, 12 June 1968; 2 killed, 10 injured: fire on diesel multiple unit after gearbox failure damaged fuel tank; poor maintenance | |
| 16 April 1968 | 5 | Beckingham, Gainsborough, 16 April 1968; Car hit by train on level crossing situated between Gainsborough Trent junction and Beckingham level crossing, (the crossing has since closed and a by-pass built). All five occupants were killed in the car. The cause was timing issues with the automatic half barrier crossing after the car had stalled on the crossing. | ||
| 6 January 1968 | 11 | 27 | Hixon rail crash, Staffordshire, 6 January 1968; 11 killed, 27 injured: multiple issues resulting from the (then recent) installation of automatic (train operated) un-monitored level crossings by British Rail; express passenger train collided with road-transporter carrying 110-ton transformer.[61] | |
| 5 November 1967 | 49 | 78 | Hither Green rail crash, 5 November 1967; 49 killed, 78 injured: broken rail, poor track maintenance; derailment at 70 mph.[62] | |
| 27 September 1967 | 1 | 23 | Foxhall Junction, Didcot, 27 September 1967; 1 killed, 23 injured: excessive speed through crossover (O. S. Nock was a passenger).[63] | |
| 31 July 1967 | 7 | 45 | Thirsk rail crash (1967), 31 July 1967; 7 killed, 45 injured: freight train derailment fouled adjacent track; following train ran into wreckage | |
| 17 July 1967 | 0 | 13 | Maidstone East, 17 July 1967; 13 injured: freight train passed a signal at danger and ran into the rear of a stationary passenger train; error by guard resulted in inadequate brake power; excessive speed | |
| 5 March 1967 | 5 | 18 | Connington South rail crash, Huntingdonshire, 5 March 1967; 5 killed, 18 injured: signal operator wilfully defeated interlocking and moved facing points while passenger train was passing over them | |
| 28 February 1967 | 9 | 16 | Stechford rail crash, 28 February 1967; 9 killed, 16 injured: misunderstood hand signal coupled with an unauthorised movement: locomotive moved onto running line in path of oncoming train | |
| 17 December 1965 | 2 | Bridgend, 17 December 1965; 2 killed: locomotive derailed due to landslide whilst hauling empty coach train; run into by freight train | ||
| 11 January 1965 | 1 | 2 | Coton Hill rail crash, Shrewsbury, 11 January 1965; 1 killed, 2 injured: driver of goods train failed to obey stop sign, derailed on trap points and crashed through Coton Hill signal box | |
| 28 May 1964 | 3 | Cheadle Hulme, 28 May 1964; 3 killed, ?? injured: speed on curve | ||
| 5 March 1964 | 2 | Itchingfield Junction, West Sussex 5 March 1964; 2 killed (crew of up goods): collision between up goods (Brighton to Three Bridges, diverted via Steyning line) which overran signals and down goods (Three Bridge to Chichester). | ||
| 15 August 1963 | 3 | 3 | Knowle and Dorridge rail crash, 15 August 1963; 3 killed, 3 injured: express ran into freight train due to signaller error | |
| 26 December 1962 | 18 | 34 | Coppenhall Junction accident, 26 December 1962; 18 killed, 34 injured: express hit express in rear: lineside gear frozen or snow-blocked, driver should have phoned but phone was out of order | |
| 3 June 1962 | 3 | 7 | Lincoln rail crash, 3 June 1962; 3 killed, 7 injured: speed on curve: driver unaccustomed to diesel engine and did not know route | |
| 16 July 1961 | 7 | 116 | Singleton Bank rail crash, Lancashire, 16 July 1961; 7 killed, 116 injured: signalman let train enter section of line under engineer's possession; hit ballast train | |
| February 1961 | Royton, Greater Manchester, February 1961; runaway train crashed through buffers and demolished a pair of terraced houses | |||
| 21 January 1960 | 5 | Settle rail crash, 21 January 1960; 5 killed: slide-bar of locomotive fell off due to missing bolts; connecting rod became detached, destroying adjacent track; oncoming goods train deflected into side of passenger train. | ||
| 25 August 1958 | 5 | 40 | Eastbourne station rail crash, 25 August 1958; 5 killed, 22 serious injuries and 18 minor. | |
| 30 January 1958 | 10 | Dagenham East rail crash, 30 January 1958; 10 killed: passed red signal in fog, rear-end collision | ||
| 4 December 1957 | 90 | 173 | Lewisham rail crash, 4 December 1957; 90 killed, 173 injured: driver missed signals in fog, rear-end collision, then overbridge fell on wreckage.[64] | |
| 9 February 1957 | 2 | Chapel-en-le-Frith rail crash, 9 February 1957; 2 killed | ||
| 7 January 1957 | 1 | 25 | Welwyn Garden City rail crash (1957), 7 January 1957; 1 killed, 25 injured: signals ignored in fog, rear-end collision with another passenger train.[65] | |
| 22 December 1955 | 1 | 50 | Luton accident (1955), 22 December 1955; 1 killed, 50 injured | |
| 2 December 1955 | 13 | 35 | Barnes rail crash, 2 December 1955; 13 killed, 35 injured: rear-end collision because signalman mishandled block apparatus | |
| 20 November 1955 | 11 | 157 | Milton rail crash, 20 November 1955; 11 killed, 157 injured | |
| 23 January 1955 | 17 | 43 | Sutton Coldfield rail crash, 23 January 1955; 17 killed, 43 injured: train on diversionary route, pilot driver with route knowledge was unfamiliar with type of loco, speed on curve, train strewn over platforms | |
| 23 September 1954 | 0 | 0 | Banbury to Eastleigh Goods train derailment, 23 September 1954; driver lost control near Whitchurch and engine ran through catch point and down embankment. No one injured. | |
| 28 October 1953 | 0 | 1 | Goswick derailment 28 October 1953; the Glasgow to Colchester express passenger train was derailed at Goswick and one person was injured.[66][67] | |
| 15 August 1953 | 10 | 60 | Irk Valley Junction rail crash near Manchester, 15 August 1953; 10 killed, 60 injured | |
| 5 May 1953 | 6 | Accident at Ystrad Caron level crossing, Tregaron, Wales, 5 May 1953; 6 killed | ||
| 8 April 1953 | 12 | Stratford tube crash, 8 April 1953; 12 killed: rear-end collision: trains being worked without signals because of damaged signals | ||
| 8 October 1952 | 112 | 340 | Harrow and Wealdstone railway accident station, 8 October 1952; 112 killed, 340 injured: train ignored signals, rear-end collision, then train the other way ran into wreckage.[68] | |
| 21 September 1951 | 15 | 26 | Weedon crash (1951), 21 September 1951; 15 Killed, 26 injured: jammed axlebox caused derailment | |
| 16 March 1951 | 12 | 17 | Doncaster rail crash, 16 March 1951; 14 killed, 12 seriously injured and 17 minor injuries. Southbound express to London derailed shortly after leaving Doncaster and struck a bridge. | |
| 27 August 1950 | 6 | Penmaenmawr, 27 August 1950: 6 killed: Irish Mail sleeper service collides with shunting locomotive. | ||
| 17 April 1948 | 24 | Winsford rail accident (1948) on 17 April 1948, 24 people died when the 17:40 Glasgow to London Euston train was stopped after the communication cord was pulled by a passenger (a soldier on leave who presumably lived near Winsford and was seen to leave the train after it had stopped). The stopped train was then run into by a following postal express hauled by LMS Coronation Class 4-6-2 No 6251 City of Nottingham.[69] |
| Date | Killed | Injured | Type | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 November 1947 | 4 | 12 | Motspur Park, 6 November 1947; 4 killed, 12 injured | |
| 27 October 1947 | 27 | Goswick rail crash, 27 October 1947; 27 killed: excess speed on diversion turnout because driver had not read a warning notice | ||
| 24 October 1947 | 32 | 183 | South Croydon rail crash, 24 October 1947; 32 killed, 183 injured: fog caused signalman's error caused rear-end collision.[70] | |
| 18 May 1947 | 0 | 37 | Lambrigg Crossing signal box between Grayrigg and Oxenholme, 18 May 1947; express driver missed a signal while looking in his food box, hit light engine: 4 in hospital, 34 minor injuries.[71][72] | |
| 10 February 1946 | 2 | 17 | Potters Bar, 10 February 1946; driver error, compounded by signaller's error. A passenger train hit the buffers at Potters Bar station, and the derailed carriages fouled the main line. Two express trains then hit the wreckage. 2 fatalities, 17 injured.[73] | |
| 1 January 1946 | 20 | 21 | Lichfield rail crash, 1 January 1946; 20 killed, 21 injured | |
| 30 September 1945 | 43 | 64 | Bourne End, 30 September 1945; 43 killed, 64 injured: excess speed on turnout | |
| 4 February 1945 | 2 | 26 | King's Cross railway accident, 4 February 1945; 2 killed, 26 injured: loco slipped to stand in tunnel, train rolled back into station[74] | |
| 2 June 1944 | 2 | 29 | Soham rail disaster, 2 June 1944; 2 killed, 29 injured: explosion of wagon containing ammunition | |
| 13 March 1944 | 1 | 7 | Henstridge accident, 13 March 1944; unconfirmed 1 killed, 7 injured: US road transport vehicle crashed through bridge wall onto passing train.[75] | |
| 16 January 1944 | 9 | Ilford rail crash (1944), 16 January 1944; nine people killed including the politician Frank Heilgers; signal passed at danger in fog. | ||
| 2 February 1942 | 13 | 63 | Cowlairs East Junction collision, 2 February 1942, 13 killed, 63 injured[76] | |
| 30 December 1941 | 23 | Eccles rail crash (1941), 30 December 1941; 23 killed: train passed red signal in fog and wartime blackout, collision on crossing | ||
| 2 July 1941 | 5 | 6 | Dolphin Junction, 2 July 1941; 5 killed, 6 injured: signalman failed to notice train.[77] | |
| 4 November 1940 | 27 | Norton Fitzwarren rail crash (1940), 4 November 1940; 27 killed: driver read wrong signal, drove off end of track.[78] | ||
| February 1940 | 1 | Watford, February 1940; 1 killed: landslide, embankment slid onto track.[79] | ||
| 10 December 1937 | 35 | 179 | Castlecary rail crash, 10 December 1937; 35 killed, 179 injured: whiteout in snowy night and snow blocked points, rear-end collision.[80] | |
| 2 April 1937 | 10 | 17 | Battersea Park rail crash (1937), 2 April 1937; 10 killed, 17 injured. Signalling error.[81] | |
| 15 January 1936 | 2 | 10 | Shrivenham, 15 January 1936; 2 killed, 10 injured: train collided with breakaway wagons.[82][83] | |
| 15 June 1935 | 13 | 85 | Welwyn Garden City rail crash, 15 June 1935; 13 killed, 85 injured: rear-end collision caused by signalman's error | |
| 28 September 1934 | 12 | Winwick rail crash, 28 September 1934; 12 killed: collision at junction: overloaded signalman, mistake by his assistant lad | ||
| 6 September 1934 | 9 | 11 | Port Eglinton Junction, Glasgow, 6 September 1934; head on collision, 9 killed, 11 seriously injured[84] | |
| 25 May 1933 | 5 | Raynes Park, 25 May 1933; 5 killed: train derailed due to uncompleted track maintenance.[85] | ||
| 22 March 1931 | 6 | Leighton Buzzard, 22 March 1931; 6 killed: train derailed due to driver exceeding speed limit on slow lines.[86] | ||
| 9 January 1930 | 1 | Lawrence Hill, 9 January 1930; 1 killed: rear collision – signalman incorrectly accepted next train.[87] | ||
| 20 November 1929 | 3 | Combe Down Tunnel accident, 20 November 1929; 3 killed: train crew overcome by smoke in a tunnel, the runaway train crashed into a goods yard. | ||
| January 1929 | 4 | Ashchurch January 1929; 4 killed: signal overrun.[88] | ||
| 13 October 1928 | 15 | Charfield railway disaster, Gloucestershire, 13 October 1928; 15 killed {estimate: 11 known dead}: night mail train hit shunting freight train.[89] | ||
| 9 October 1928 | 1 | 14 | New Tredegar, 9 October 1928; 1 killed, 14 injured: 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).[90] | |
| 9 July 1928 | 2 | London Bridge, 9 July 1928; 2 killed: driver of light engine misread signals.[91] | ||
| 27 June 1928 | 25 | Darlington rail crash, 27 June 1928; 25 killed: head-on collision caused by inexperienced driver's error | ||
| 24 August 1927 | 13 | Sevenoaks railway accident, 24 August 1927; 13 killed, derailment.[92][93][94] | ||
| 27 February 1927 | Penistone, 27 February 1927: engine being run round train obeyed green signal meant for express coming through: collision | |||
| 14 February 1927 | 12 | 24 | Hull Paragon rail accident, 14 February 1927; 12 killed, 24 seriously injured: Head on collision caused by signalling error.[95] | |
| 19 November 1926 | 9 | Parkgate and Rawmarsh railway station 19 November 1926; 9 killed in derailment and collision[96] | ||
| 30 August 1926 | 9 | Naworth Crossing, 30 August 1926; collision with charabanc on crossing; 9 killed[97] | ||
| 3 November 1924 | 14 | Lytham rail crash, 3 November 1924; locomotive tyre fracture; 14 killed |
Prior to 1830 the Philadelphia (UK) boiler explosion 1815, a boiler explosion of "Brunton's Mechanical Traveller" on a plateway had killed 16 people, mainly sightseers.
| Date | Killed | Injured | Type | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 January 1921 | 17 | 36 | Abermule train collision, 26 January 1921; 17 killed, 36 injured; head-on collision on single line, inattention to proper procedures.[98] | |
| 17 November 1919 | Crewe, 17 November 1919; passenger train hit buffer stops | |||
| 19 January 1918 | 7 | Little Salkeld rail accident, 19 January 1918; 7 killed, landslip blocked line.[99] | ||
| 24 September 1917 | 10 | Bere Ferrers rail accident, Devon, 24 September 1917; 10 killed: New Zealand troops alighted via wrong side and onto track, were hit by another train | ||
| 3 January 1917 | 12 | Ratho rail crash, 3 January 1917; 12 killed.[100] | ||
| 2 February 1916 | Penistone, 2 February 1916: Penistone end of the viaduct north of station: embankment and end arch fell, and an engine with it | |||
| 17 December 1915 | 19 | 81 | St Bedes Junction rail crash, 17 December 1915; 19 killed, 81 injured; double collision sent trains down embankment and fire consumed some of the wreckage; procedural failures by driver and signalman.[101] | |
| 14 August 1915 | 10 | 21 | Weedon, 14 August 1915; 10 killed, 21 injured | |
| 22 May 1915 | 226 | 246 | Quintinshill rail crash, 22 May 1915; 226 killed (Lt Col Druitt's official report into the accident gives the figure as 227; he gave the number of troops killed as 215 which was later revised downwards by the Battalion to 214), 246 injured: troop train hit local standing train and 2 coal trains; another train hit wreckage: mistakes by signalmen.[102] | |
| 1 January 1915 | 10 | Ilford rail crash (1915), 1 January 1915; 10 killed, driver missed danger signals.[103] | ||
| 18 June 1914 | 5 | 10 | Carrbridge rail crash, 18 June 1914; 5 killed, 10 injured: bridge collapsed after torrential rain | |
| 17 June 1914 | 1 | Reading 17 June 1914; 1 killed: train passed danger signal.[104] | ||
| 14 April 1914 | 1 | 12 | Burntisland, Fife, 14 April 1914; 1 killed, 12 injured: Edinburgh to Aberdeen train collided with the Dundee goods train | |
| 1 September 1913 | 14 | 38 | 1913 Ais Gill rail accident, 1 September 1913; 14 killed, 38 injured: train passed red signal, rear-end collision; underpowered engines and bad coal.[105] | |
| 26 March 1913 | 2 | 2 | Chumhill railway accident, 26 March 1913; 2 track workers killed; 2 injured | |
| 17 September 1912 | 15 | Ditton Junction rail crash; 17 September 1912; 15 killed.[106] | ||
| 23 January 1911 | 11 | Pontypridd railway accident, 23 January 1911; 11 killed (rear collision) | ||
| 24 December 1910 | 12 | Hawes Junction rail crash, 24 December 1910; 12 killed: train hit 2 light engines; too much traffic overloaded signalman.[107] | ||
| 29 January 1910 | 7 | Coulsdon North (then called Stoats Nest), 29 January 1910; 7 killed | ||
| 1 January 1910 | 1 | Braunton Road railway accident, New Years Day, 1910; 1 track worker killed | ||
| 21 April 1909 | 3 | Cardiff, Wales, 21 April 1909; 3 killed – (Boiler explosion) | ||
| 15 October 1907 | 18 | Shrewsbury rail accident, 15 October 1907; 18 killed: derailment, speed on curve.[108] | ||
| 9 October 1907 | 2 | Dore railway station, 9 October 1907; 2 injured; train fouled on points | ||
| 29 September 1907 | 1 | 12 | Newport rail accident, 29 September 1907; 1 killed, 12 injured: collision | |
| 28 December 1906 | 22 | Elliot Junction rail accident, 28 December 1906; 22 killed: collision in blizzard | ||
| 19 September 1906 | 13 | 17 | Grantham rail accident, 19 September 1906; 13 killed, 17 injured (derailment).[109] | |
| 30 June 1906 | 28 | Salisbury rail crash, 30 June 1906; 28 killed (24 passengers, 4 crew): express derailed due to speed on curve, hit milk train.[110] | ||
| 5 December 1905 | 6 | Charing Cross roof collapse, London, 5 December 1905; 6 killed | ||
| 1 September 1905 | 11 | 71 | Witham rail crash, Essex, 1 September 1905; 11 killed (derailment) | |
| 10 July 1905 | 20 | Hall Road rail accident, 10 July 1905; 20 killed: electric trains collided | ||
| 19 January 1905 | 7 | Cudworth, South Yorkshire, 19 January 1905 Collision of two Midland Railway trains with a third, in fog. Seven killed. | ||
| 23 December 1904 | 4 | Aylesbury station, 23 December 1904; 4 killed (driver, secondman, 2 Royal Mail employees): mail train in fog and dark before dawn; unfamiliar driver went too fast on sharp curve entering station.[111] (The track was relaid afterwards to ease the curve.) | ||
| 27 July 1903 | 16 | 27 | Glasgow St Enoch rail crash, 27 July 1903; 16 killed 27 injured: train ran into buffer stops | |
| 27 February 1903 | 0 | 35 | Leven Viaduct near Ulverston, 27 Feb 1903; 0 killed 35 injured: Early morning Carnforth to Whitehaven train blown over by high winds after being stopped on viaduct by telegraph wires caught in the engine's ejector.[112] | |
| 16 June 190 | 5 | 35 | Slough rail accident, 16 June 1900; 5 killed, 35 injured. Express passed signal at danger and collided with local train standing in station. | |
| 23 March 1900 | 7 | Glasgow,23 March 1900; 7 killed: Collision[100] | ||
| 17 October 1898 | 8 | Wrawby Junction rail crash (1898), 17 October 1898; 8 killed [113] | ||
| 2 September 1898 | 7 | 65 | Wellingborough rail accident, 2 September 1898; 7 killed 65 injured, luggage trolley fell off platform onto rails and derailed passing express.[114][115] | |
| 10 October 1897 | 1 | 2 | Penistone station, 10 October 1897; 1 dead, 2 injured: light locomotive collided with a carriage | |
| 11 June 1897 | 11 | Welshampton rail accident, 11 June 1897; 11 killed (derailment) | ||
| 15 November 1897 | 2 | Menheniot, 15 November 1897; reconstruction of Trevido Viaduct: accident raising a heavy timber: 2 killed | ||
| 9 February 1897 | 12 | Menheniot, 9 February 1897; reconstruction of Coldrennick Viaduct: workman's platform fell: 12 killed | ||
| 15 August 1896 | 1 | Preston, 15 August 1896; 1 killed: excessive speed on curve.[116] | ||
| 6 April 1896 | 1 | Snowdon Mountain Railway, 6 April 1896; 1 killed: derailment from runaway on hill | ||
| 22 December 1894 | 14 | Chelford rail accident, 22 December 1894; 14 killed: wind blew a truck into path of express | ||
| 10 November 1895 | 1 | 6 | St. Neots Derailment 1895 10 November 1895; 1 killed, 6 injured (broken rail) | |
| 12 August 1893 | 13 | Llantrisant rail accident, 12 August 1893; 13 killed (train down an embankment) | ||
| 2 November 1892 | 10 | Thirsk rail crash (1892), 2 November 1892; 10 killed: rear-end collision: mistake by signalman who was very sleepy because of acute family crisis | ||
| 9 June 1892 | 5 | Esholt Junction rail crash, 9 June 1892; 5 killed; two trains collide at the junction, caused by unsafe procedures and a signal obscured by vegetation. | ||
| 1 May 1891 | 0 | 1 | Norwood Junction crash, 1 May 1891; one broken ankle: cast-iron under-bridge broke under an express train | |
| 10 November 1890 | 10 | Norton Fitzwarren rail crash (1890), 10 November 1890; ten killed | ||
| 4 March 1890 | 4 | Carlisle, 4 March 1890; 4 killed; brakes misapplied.[117] | ||
| 12 June 1889 | 80 | 260 | Armagh rail disaster, 12 June 1889; 80 killed, 260 injured: runaway carriages collide with following train.[118][1] | |
| 30 March 1889 | 1 | many | Penistone (Huddersfield Junction), 30 March 1889; 1 killed, many injured: passenger train engine broke axle and derailed on points. Then a mail train collided slightly with fallen engine. | |
| 16 September 1887 | 25 | 94 | Hexthorpe rail accident, 16 September 1887; 25 killed, 94 injured: express ran into stationary race train.[119] | |
| September 1887 | Penistone, September 1887: engine hit train too hard when backing onto it to couple up | |||
| 1 September 1886 | 0 | 20 | Penistone, 1 September 1886: 20 passengers slightly injured: engine hit train too hard when backing onto it to couple up | |
| 1 January 1885 | 4 | Penistone (Barnsley Junction), 1 January 1885 4 killed: excursion train passing empty coal train; a coal truck broke axle, derailed, fouled the excursion | ||
| 16 July 1884 | 24 | 60 | Penistone (Bullhouse Bridge) rail accident, 16 July 1884: 24 killed. 60 injured: engine broke axle, derailed, train fell off embankment.[120] | |
| 3 June 1884 | 4 | 41 | Downton, Wiltshire, 3 June 1884; 4 killed, 41 injured: derailment caused by excessive speed over poor quality track[121] | |
| 8 December 1882 | 0 | 2 | Penistone station, 8 December 1882: 2 injured: accident during shunting | |
| 27 November 1882 | 5 | Inverythan crash, 27 November 1882; 5 killed: bridge fell under train | ||
| 14 May 1882 | 7 | 300 | Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire, 14 May 1883; a 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. Some of the goods train's wagons derailed and a southbound mainline express collided with them. Seven people were killed, including the driver and fireman of the express, and 300 were injured.[122] | |
| 8 August 1881 | 7 | Blackburn, 8 August 1881; 7 killed: Collision[100] | ||
| 11 August 1880 | 8 | Wennington Junction rail crash, 11 August 1880; 8 killed: derailment.[123][124] | ||
| 15 January 1890 | 9 | Burscough Junction Station Crash, 15 January 1880; 9 killed [125] | ||
| 28 December 1879 | 75 estimate | 0 | Tay Bridge disaster, 28 December 1879; 75 killed (estimate), 60 were confirmed dead. Bridge collapsed under train in a gale | |
| 19 October 1878 | 13 | Pontypridd, 19 October 1878; 13 killed after a collision | ||
| 25 March 1877 | Morpeth 1877, 25 March 1877; Kings Cross to Edinburgh train derailed on curve whilst travelling at 25 miles per hour. | |||
| 7 August 1876 | 15 | Radstock rail accident, 7 August 1876; 15 killed: head-on collision on single track: superintendent overloaded by holiday traffic[126] | ||
| 21 January 1876 | 14 | Abbots Ripton rail disaster, 21 January 1876; 14 killed: rear-end collision: snow stuck slotted signals in clear position.[127] | ||
| 28 August 1875 | 5 | 40 | Kildwick and Cross Hills rail crash, 28 August 1875, 5 killed, 40 injured | |
| 24 December 1874 | 34 | 69 | Shipton-on-Cherwell train crash, 24 December 1874; 34 killed, 69 injured: carriage tyre broke, derailed train on bridge over canal | |
| 10 September 1874 | 25 | 73 | Thorpe rail accident, 10 September 1874; 25 killed, 73 injured: head-on collision on single-track line.[128] | |
| 27 January 1874 | 16 | Bo'ness Junction rail crash, 27 January 1874 16 killed (express and mineral trains collide) | ||
| 2 December 1873 | 1 | Menheniot, 2 December 1873 – head on collision on single line; 1 driver killed[129]: misunderstood signalman's verbal order | ||
| 2 August 1873 | 13 | 30 | Wigan rail crash, 2 August 1873; 13 killed, 30 injured.[130] | |
| 2 October 1872 | 12 | Kirtlebridge rail crash, 2 October 1872; 12 killed | ||
| 26 December 1870 | 8 | Hatfield rail crash (1870), 26 December 1870; 8 killed, carriage wheel failure caused train separation[131] | ||
| 12 December 1870 | 15 | 59 | Stairfoot rail accident, 12 December 1870; 15 killed, 59 injured (train divided) | |
| 6 December 1870 | 5 | 57 | Brockley Whins, 6 December 1870; 5 killed, 57 injured[132] | |
| 26 November 1870 | 7 | Harrow, 26 November 1870; 7 killed: signal overrun in fog.[133][100] | ||
| 20 June 1870 | 18 | Newark rail crash, 20 June 1870; 18 killed (excursion train and freight train collided) | ||
| 9 October 1869 | 7 | Long Eaton,9 October 1869; 7 killed: Collision[100] | ||
| 18 December 1869 | 4 | Dalton Junction rail crash; axle break derails Night Mail, 4 injured slightly | ||
| 20 August 1868 | 33 | Abergele train disaster, 20 August 1868; 33 killed.[134] | ||
| 29 June 1867 | 8 | Warrington rail crash, 29 June 1867; 8 killed.[100] | ||
| 9 June 1865 | 10 | 49 | Staplehurst rail crash, 9 June 1865; 10 killed, 49 injured: train ran over bridge where rails removed for work; bridge broke. Charles Dickens was a passenger.[135] | |
| 7 June 1865 | 11 | 30 | Rednal rail crash, 7 June 1865, 11 killed, 30 injured; excursion train failed to see warning flag for track maintenance.[136] | |
| 14 December 1864 | 5 | Blackheath Tunnel, 16 December 1864, 5 killed.[137] | ||
| 7 June 1864 | 7 | Egham, 7 June 1864; 7 killed: Collision[100] | ||
| 3 August 1863 | 7 | King's Lynn, 3 August 1863; 7 killed: Derailment[100] | ||
| 13 October 1862 | 15 | Winchburgh rail crash, 13 October 1862; 15 killed (collision in deep cutting) | ||
| 6 December 1861 | 1 | Portswood rail accident, 6 December 1861; 1 killed | ||
| 2 September 1861 | 16 | Kentish Town rail accident, 2 September 1861; 16 killed (passenger and freight trains collide);[138] | ||
| 25 August 1861 | 23 | 176 | Clayton Tunnel rail crash, 25 August 1861; 23 killed, 176 injured: train hit stationary train in tunnel: needed nonexistent signal "Is second train out of tunnel?".[139] | |
| 11 June 1861 | 2 | Wooton Bridge Collapse, 11 June 1861; cast iron girders broke, 2 killed on freight train | ||
| 16 November 1860 | 10 | Atherstone rail accident, 16 November 1860; ten killed | ||
| 4 September 1860 | 11 | Helmshore rail accident, 4 September 1860; 11 people killed (collision) | ||
| 7 | Tottenham station; 20 February; 7 killed, locomotive wheel failure[140] | |||
| 17 February 1860 | 1 | Gloucester, 17 February 1860: PC William Goatman of the Midland Railway Police dies: hit by goods train while crossing railway lines | ||
| 23 August 1858 | 14 | Round Oak rail accident, 23 August 1858; 14 killed (divided train) | ||
| 28 June 1857 | 11 | Lewisham rail crash (1857) in South London, 28 June 1857: 11 people are killed when two trains collide | ||
| 12 September 1855 | 7 | 7 | Reading, 12 September 1855; driver and 7 passengers killed, 7 more seriously injured: head-on collision between light engine running on wrong line and passenger train[141][142] | |
| 5 October 1853 | 18 | Straffan rail accident, 5 October 1853; 18 killed: collision.[143] | ||
| 4 March 1853 | 6 | Dixon Fold railway station, 4 March 1853; 6 killed, Locomotive wheel failure.[144][145] | ||
| 12 July 1852 | 4 | a great number | Burnley railway station, 12 July 1852; 4 killed, 'a great number' injured.[146][147] | |
| 13 March 1852 | 1 | Bishopstoke rail accident 13 March 1852; driver killed | ||
| 6 September 1851 | 6 | Bicester, Oxfordshire 6 September 1851; 6 killed, train misrouted[148] | ||
| 6 June 1851 | 5 | Falmer, Sussex, 6 June 1851; 5 killed, obstruction by debris[149] | ||
| 30 April 1851 | 8 | 30-40 | Sutton Tunnel railway accident, Cheshire, 30 April 1851; 9 killed, 30–40 injured | |
| 1 August 1850 | 5 | 10 | Cowlairs, Glasgow, 1 August 1850; 5 killed, 10 injured[150] | |
| 27 June 1849 | Hemerdon, 27 June 1849; boiler explosion[151] | |||
| 10 February 1849 | 5 | Rockcliffe, Dumfries and Galloway, 10 February 1849; 5 killed[152] | ||
| 10 May 1848 | 6 | 13 | Shrivenham station, 10 May 1848; 6 killed, 13 injured; express struck horse-box and cattle-van[153][154] | |
| 5 June 1847 | 7 | Wolverton, 5 June 1847; 7 killed: 'turned into siding'[100] | ||
| 24 May 1847 | 2 | Southall, 24 May 1847; 2 killed: broken locomotive tyre[155] | ||
| 24 May 1847 | 5 | 16 | Dee bridge disaster, 24 May 1847; 5 killed, 16 injured: bridge collapsed into the river at Chester[156][157][158] | |
| 1 January 1846 | 1 | Tonbridge, 1 January 1846; 1 killed (driver): bridge collapsed into River Medway[159] | ||
| 6 October 1845 | 0 | 0 | Penistone, 6 October 1845: main line train hit a cow, train derailed, passengers shaken, cow killed. | |
| November 1844 | 0 | 15-20 | Beeston, Nottinghamshire, November 1844, 15–20 injured | |
| 4 October 1844 | 0 | 15 | Anerley, 4 October 1844; 15 injured | |
| 6 January 1843 | Barnsley railway station, later renamedCudworth on the North Midland Railway, 6 January 1843; luggage train ran into back of the Leeds train in fog."all carriages were smashed to pieces"; the head of the only passenger was "cut completely off"[160] | |||
| 24 December 1841 | 8 | 17 | Railway accident at Sonning Cutting, 24 December 1841; 8 killed, 17 injured: train ran into landslide caused by heavy rain[161][162] | |
| 29 October 1841 | 1 | Hartford, Northwich, 29 October 1841; 1 killed | ||
| 7 September 1841 | 0 | 6 | Wootton Bassett, 7 September 1841; 6 injured: train derailed in landslip[163] | |
| 10 November 1840 | 2 | Bromsgrove railway station, 10 November 1840; 2 killed; boiler explosion[164] | ||
| 25 October 1840 | 1 | 4 | Faringdon Road, 25 October 1840; 1 killed, 4 injured: driver asleep at controls[165] | |
| 7 August 1840 | 4 | Howden rail crash, Yorkshire, 7 August 1840; 4 killed: big casting fell from wagon and derailed carriages[166] | ||
| 12 July 1839 | 2 | Whiston, 12 July 1839; 2 killed. | ||
| 7 August 1838 | 1 | Harrow train accident, 7 August 1838; death of Thomas Port, run over by train[167] | ||
| 3 December 1836 | 3 | Wetheral train accident, 3 December 1836; 3 killed | ||
| 4 May 1833 | Bagworth, 4 May 1833: collision with farmer's cart on level crossing, led to the invention of the locomotive whistle[168] | |||
| April 1831 | Newton Junction, April 1831: 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; he was fined £3 by magistrates for this. | |||
| 15 September 1830 | 1 | Parkside, 15 September 1830; William Huskisson was first death on public railway at opening of Liverpool and Manchester Railway when he was run down by Stephenson's Rocket.[169][170][171] |
