BURSTING A CROSSING

The Doncaster derailment attracted great attention, not only because of the resultant causalties but also from the fact that the train had just started and was not traveling at any speed. The train was passing through a scissors crossover, up slow to up main, where superelevation had to be such that the run-up of the cant was very steep -- in certain circumstances a disagreeable necessity. Of recent years a speed limit of 10 mph has been in force over the slow line approach from the station and through this connection, but unfortunately, as in so many places, it has been indifferently observed. The conclusion, supported by practical tests, was that the train concerned passed at from 20 to 25 mph. There was no reason for supposing that the condition of either locomotive or train contributed to the accident. It was concluded, from a review of all those cases and every relevant fact revealed by the inquiry, that the disaster was initiated by the bursting of the crossing. All crossings form inherently weak points in the track and their components are subject to constant shock.

• Corporate Authors:

  Temple Press Limited

  161-166 Fleet Street
  Longon EC4,   England 
• Publication Date: 1952-4-18

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 425
• Serial:
  • RAILWAY GAZETTE
  • Volume: 96

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crossovers; Derailments; Failure; Fatalities; Injuries; Passengers; Railroad rails; Technology; Traffic crashes
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• Old TRIS Terms: Passenger deaths; Passenger injuries; Rail failure
• Subject Areas: Passenger Transportation; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00039605
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 4 1994 12:00AM