What Was Britain’s Worst Train Disaster In History?

Scotland's 1915 Quintinshill rail disaster is the worst train disaster in Britain's history. It took around 226 lives and injured 246 persons. This was the time of the First World War and European countries were stressed and mobilising for war. At that time railways were the most convenient way of transportation. 

In this incident, one train was of troops of soldiers who were brought towards Liverpool. This is the double collision between the 5 trains all because of the wrong signalling or fault of the signalman. Let’s understand how this worst disaster happened and what the role of Britain's railways in the First World War was.

1915 Quintinshill Rail Disaster - Worst Incident in British Railway History

22 May 1915 is the dark day of British railway history. On the morning of 22 May 1915, five trains were caught in this rail disaster outside of the Quintinshill rail signalling box at Dumfriesshire, Scotland. 

Unfortunately, more than 200 people died and this became Britain's worst train incident. All of this happens because of bad judgement or bad signalling of the signalmans. 

Here is a brief scenario of the tragic day:

The Quintinshill rail signalling box had been controlling double side two passing loops, the Caledonian main line that linked Glasgow and Carlisle.  

In the event of this tragedy, passing loops on both sides were occupied by the goods train. Also, a local northbound train was on the southern bound main line.

Due to miscommunication or negligent behaviour of two signalmen (James Tinsley and George Meakin). They both did not pay close attention to the lines. At the time 6:34, a coal train parked at the southbound passing loop, and one of the signalmen pulled up the lever to rest the points. And also habitually pulled up the other lever to give a sign of a clear line. At 6:42, a special troop train was passing through the lane, and due to the clear sign, a collision happened with the local train. 

After a minute a northern-bound sleeping car express collides with wreckage. And fire takes place to the event that stays until the next morning. This accident killed around 200 people and injured many people. The signalman was charged and convicted of culpable homicide and breach of duty. And goes to lifetime imprisonment. 

Britain's Railways in the First World War

During the First World War against the Germans, around 130000 soldiers were sent towards the coastal and boundaries area. British railways played an important part in the World War. To do the military operations fast and quickly, special trains and networks were created under the control of the railways executive committee. 

Throughout the war, the railways continuously supplied the army and also transported the wounded out of the war zone. Trains not only carried the soldiers but also supplied essential things like rations, water, coal, and medicines throughout Europe.

Participation of Women in the Railways During War

The effect of World War also started to be seen in the railways. Railways faced the issue of labour due to the war, and most of them joined the military. And to fill up the space, railways started to hire women. 

Throughout the war, women were employed as helper, mechanics, and other lower managerial jobs. At the end of the war, women got the right to work in any position other than driver or fireman until 1975. 

Wrap It Up

The 1915 Quintinshill rail disaster was the worst rail disaster in British railway history. It is the centenary of this unfortunate event and it is still remembered as a dark day in the history of railways. However, the contribution of British Railways to the World War is incomparable.