Sixty years ago today, on 9th February 1957 a
serious collision occurred at Chapel-en-le-Frith South railway station. The
11.15 freight train from Buxton to Arply (Warrington)
ran out of control, and collided with the rear of the 8.45 freight from Rowsley
to Edgley (Stockport).
The initial cause of the accident was the failure of the
pipe, on the Arply engine, which fed steam to its brakes. This had the effect
of filling the cab with scalding steam at full boiler pressure, and making the
loco's brakes ineffective. The failure of the pipe took place as the train was
ascending the steep incline from Buxton to Bibington Sidings. The locomotive
was working hard with the regulator full open, and another loco was assisting at
the rear of the train. Due to the intense heat in the cab, the driver and his
fireman were unable to close the regulator. Driver John Axon ordered his
fireman, Ron Scanlon, to jump off and make an attempt to pin down some wagon
brakes (every wagon had it's own hand operated brake, but they were travelling
too fast for the fireman to pin them down effectively).
Once over the summit at Bibbington there is a steep descent of 1 in 57 to Chapel-en-le-Frith and beyond, so the train gathered speed, with no effective brake and full steam on.
Driver Axon bravely remained at his post to give warning he
was running away, and a hope that he could regain control when the track levelled
out.
At 11.21 John Axon's loco and waggons, with a combined
weight of 775 tons and at an estimated speed of 55 mph, collided violently with the rear of the Rowsley to Edgley
freight, which was passing slowly through Chapel station.
Driver Axon and the guard of the Edgley train, John Creamer, were killed.
Driver Axon and the guard of the Edgley train, John Creamer, were killed.
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| Chapel signal box was destroyed; the signalman having a narrow escape. |
The full Ministry of Transport report on the accident is
available here http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/MoT_Chapel1957.pdf
In recognition of his bravery John Axon was, posthumously, awarded
the George Cross.
On the fiftieth anniversary of the crash, in 2007, this
plaque was unveiled at Chapel station by John Axon's granddaughter Melanie Axon.
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The tranquil scene at Chapel-en-le-Frith on the 50th anniversary
of the incident in 2007.
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| John Axon's loco was a Class 8 number 48188, similar to this one I photographed at Derby in 1966. |
[Please note: For many years trains have been fitted with fail
safe brakes (known as fully fitted brakes) on all carriages or wagons. At the time of
this incident it was normal for some freight trains, as in this case, to rely
entirely on the locomotive and the brake van at the rear for braking. One of
the recommendations of the inquiry into this accident was that all trains
should have fully fitted brakes.]
STOP PRESS: Today, at 11.20, Friends of Chapel Station will be holding a short commemoration and the laying of a floral tribute. All are welcome, but anyone wishing to attend should arrive no later than 11.15.
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| The first in the series of Radio Ballads, 'The Ballad of John Axon', tells the story of the incident, and of John Axon's life, and is still available to buy on CD. |
STOP PRESS: Today, at 11.20, Friends of Chapel Station will be holding a short commemoration and the laying of a floral tribute. All are welcome, but anyone wishing to attend should arrive no later than 11.15.
