Rail accident at Chapel-en-le-Frith - 60th anniversary

Sixty years ago today, on 9^th 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.

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. 

The tranquil scene at Chapel-en-le-Frith on the 50^th anniversary of the incident in 2007.

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.]

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.