This lists significant accidents involving railway rolling stock, including crashes, fires and incidents of crew being overcome by locomotive emissions. Other railway-related incidents such as the King's Cross fire of 1987 or the 7 July 2005 London bombings are not included.
Parkside: William Huskisson was fatally wounded at the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway when he was hit by Stephenson's Rocket.[3][4][5] Huskisson is often reported as the first railway fatality, including in ordinarily reliable sources.[6] This is untrue; at least two people were killed on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway before it opened to the public.[7] The earliest recorded fatality caused by a steam locomotive was an unnamed woman, described as "a blind American beggar", fatally injured by a train on the Stockton and Darlington Railway on 5 March 1827.[8]
April 1831
Signalling error
Newton Junction: 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; fined £3 by magistrates (equivalent to £340 in 2023).[citation needed]
4 May 1833
Level crossing collision
Bagworth: Collision with farmer's cart on level crossing, led to the implementation of the locomotive whistle.[9]
Cowlairs, Glasgow. A crowded early morning train passed a signal at danger then stopped before being hit from behind by another train.[31][32]
30 April 1851
9
30–40
Sutton Tunnel railway accident, Cheshire: Two inadequately-powered trains struggling together to climb gradient in tunnel ran into by third following train due to miscalculations by Executive Committee and staff.[33]
6 June 1851
5
1?
Falmer, Sussex: Train ran down incline without braking derailed by wooden sleeper obstructing track; engine, tender and two coaches ended up on nearby public highway.[34]
6 September 1851
6
Bicester, Oxfordshire: Points were moved under the train by signalman resulting in derailment.[35]
5 February 1852
0
0
Reading, Berkshire: Confusion over signals led to collision between express train and goods train at the junction of the Berks & Hants Branch line.[36]
13 March 1852
2
Basingstoke rail accident: Tyre failure. Driver and fireman killed.[37]
Aynho, Northamptonshire: A special service from Paddington to Birmingham, for the opening of the new line to Birmingham by the GWR loaded with directors of the Railway, ran into the rear end of a slow running Mixed Goods train at Aynho Station. When the driver of the mixed goods saw the special coming at a speed towards the station attempted to pull away. The coupling to the engine broke so its train was left behind. The locomotive "Lord of the Isles" destroyed the rear truck of the Mixed goods and was derailed by a broken axle. The undamaged carriages then struck the tender of the mixed goods locomotive. The mixed goods pulled the rest of its undamaged train to Banbury before returning to take the damaged special to Leamington because the relief engine sent to rescue the special derailed on the way from Birmingham.[40]
Mangotsfield: A mail train had stopped to allow an adjustment to the locomotive when another train crashed into it in dense fog at 25 mph (40 km/h). Two passengers were killed, with the deaths attributed to neglect of duty by the mail train's guard.[43]
5 October 1853
18
Unknown
Straffan rail accident, County Kildare, Ireland: Collision of goods train into rear of stationary passenger train.[44]
12 September 1855
7
7
Reading: Head-on collision between light engine running on wrong line and passenger train.[45][46]
18 September 1855
3
0
Dinting Viaduct, Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway: Passenger train waiting to enter Dinting Station had to wait for the train ahead to clear, and drew up on the viaduct. The viaduct parapets were of similar height to station platforms and three passengers, believing that they had arrived, stepped from the carriages and fell to their deaths.[47]
27 September 1855
1
9
Summerseat, north of Bury, Lancashire: Accrington-to-Bury passenger train runs into stationary goods train due to faulty signal.[48]
4 August 1856
3
9
Stubbins, north of Ramsbottom, Lancashire: Northbound passenger train derails and overturns due to poorly installed temporary level-crossing.[49]
6 October 1856
2
1
buffer stop collision
Salisbury A crash resulted in 2 deaths and 1 injury and a complete damaged train.[50][51]
Round Oak rail accident: Rear part of train broke away and ran back down line, collision with following train. 170 persons applied for compensation because "of injury to their persons or their clothes".
16 June 1859
0
0
Virginia Water, Surrey. Special train from Ascot ran into the back of another special train.[52]
16 July 1859
1
79
Bishopton, Renfrewshire: Two passenger trains collide in a tunnel at Bishopton.[53]
16 September 1859
0
7
Staines, Surrey. Signal passed at danger resulted in collision between 2 trains.[54]
20 February 1860
7
9
Tottenham station: Locomotive wheel failure led to derailment and collision with station platform.[55][56]
4 September 1860
11
77
Helmshore rail accident, Lancashire: Rear portion of passenger excursion train became detached and ran back down line where it collided with an on-coming passenger train.
Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire: 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. Goods train's wagons derailed and southbound express collided with them.[84]
Staines, Middlesex. Special train from Windsor ran into back of empty train due to excessive speed and passing a signal at danger.[87]
1 January 1885
4
18
Penistone (Barnsley Junction): Axle on wagon of coal train broke and vehicle derailed into side of passing excursion train, destroying one carriage and damaging three.[88]
30 August 1886
0
3
Mangotsfield: A goods train was shunting onto the mainline and hit the side of a passing excursion train, causing significant damage to the guard's van and head injuries to the guard.[89]
1 September 1886
0
20
Penistone: Engine hit train too hard when backing onto it to couple up.
Barassie Junction, South Ayrshire: Mail train and passenger train collided at high speed at junction.[97]
21 March 1898
3
20
St Johns train crash 1898, London: Passenger train ran into the back of another passenger train in thick fog due to oversight by signalman.[98]
18 July 1898
2
0
Acton, London: Passenger train from Windsor to Paddington. Inside connecting-rod of the engine broke and pierced the fire-box. Driver and fireman jumped or were thrown off but died in hospital the following day from burns.[99]
Slough rail accident: Express passed signal at danger and collided with local train standing in station.
1 October 1900
1
2
Virginia Water, Surrey. Signalman forgot that passenger train was on the up platform and allowed a horse box train into the station resulting in a collision.[103]
7 October 1900
0
51
Twickenham. Two trains collided while 4 carriages were being shunted from one train to another due to confusion over signalling.[104]
24 October 1901
0
1
Bowling Tunnel, Bradford, West Riding: Defective coupling causing freight train to divide causing collision.[105]
23 December 1901
6
0
Dingle, Liverpool: Electrical fault, train in tunnel. The insulation of an underfloor drive motor failed, causing arcing. The circuit breaker operated, but was repeatedly re-set by the driver. Eventually the arcing set fire to the wooden body of the coach.[106]
25 April 1902
3
197
Hackney downs, London: Defective axle led to an axle failure and derailment, the train split and collided with a structure.[107]
27 February 1903
0
35
Leven Viaduct near Ulverston: Early morning Carnforth-to-Whitehaven train blown over by high winds (Storm Ulysses) after being stopped on viaduct by fallen telegraph wires dislodging the engine's brake hose, destroying the vacuum and applying the brake.[108]
Aylesbury station, Buckinghamshire: 4 killed were driver, secondman and 2 GPO employees. Mail train in fog and dark before dawn; train too fast on sharp curve entering station. The driver may not have had current route knowledge for that portion of the journey.[112]
19 January 1905
7
Cudworth, West Riding: Collision of two Midland Railway trains with a third, in fog.
27 July 1905
20
48
Hall Road rail accident, Blundellsands, Lancashire: Two Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway electric passenger trains collided due to error on the part of a signalman (authorising the driver to pass an interlocked signal at danger) and the driver disregarding regulations for action in these circumstances.[113]
Quintinshill rail crash, 22 May 1915; 226 killed, 246 injured: Troop train hit local standing train and 2 coal trains; another train hit wreckage caused by mistakes by signalmen.[128]
14 August 1915
10
21
Weedon rail crash (1915), Northamptonshire: Detached coupling rod on a moving locomotive damaged adjacent track causing oncoming train to derail. Coaches toppled down an embankment as a result.
17 December 1915
19
81
St Bedes Junction rail crash: Double collision sent trains down embankment and fire consumed some of the wreckage. Procedural failures by driver and signalman.[129]
2 February 1916
0
0
Penistone rail accident, West Riding: Penistone end of the viaduct north of station subsided; embankment and end arch fell, taking a locomotive with it.
3 February 1916
2
1
Torpantau, Brecknockshire: Signal passed at danger.[130]
3 January 1917
12
46
Ratho rail crash, Queensferry Junction, West Lothian: Passenger express train collided with goods engine running light due to human error.[60]
24 September 1917
10
0
Bere Ferrers rail accident, Devon: New Zealand troops just disembarked in the UK after voyage from NZ alighted via wrong side of train and onto track under misapprehension that Bere Ferrers railway station was in fact Exeter St Davids (where they were due to receive food rations) and were hit by another train travelling in opposite direction at 40 mph (64 km/h).
18 January 1918
1
4
Near Oswestry, Shropshire: Signalman's error – head-on collision on single line.[131]
Denburn South Junction, Aberdeen: Glasgow-to-Aberdeen passenger train strikes an engine running light on approaching Aberdeen Joint Passenger Station due to a signalman's error.[133]
5 May 1919
1
1
Paddock Wood, Kent: Two goods trains collided due to excessive speed.[134]
17 November 1919
0
11
Crewe, Cheshire: Chester-to-Crewe passenger train hit buffer stops in bay platform.
29 November 1919
1
4
Haverhill, Suffolk: Passenger train hit buffer stops in siding after leaving station due to error by the train driver and signalman.[135]
New Tredegar: 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).[158]
13 October 1928
16
41
Charfield railway disaster, Gloucestershire; Night mail train passed signals at danger hit shunting freight train. The mail train was lit by fuel gas and this ignited shortly after the impact, causing a severe fire.[159][160]
Cowlairs East Junction collision. Signalman's error: cleared signals on the running line while it was occupied by a stationary light engine.There was a delay in implementing Rule 55, which required the fireman to enter the signalbox to ensure that his engine was protected by signals.[187]
Woking crash: Driver and other errors Passenger train collides with rear of second passenger train.[192]
31 December 1945
3
10
Northwood Middlesex: Collision due to excess speed in fog[193]
1 January 1946
20
21
Lichfield rail crash: Signal interlocking failed due to frozen points, goods train collided with rear of stationary passenger train.
5 January 1946
10
18
Browney rail crash: Goods train divided and crashed, the wreckage of which was hit by an express travelling in the opposite direction.[194]
10 February 1946
2
17
Potters Bar rail crash: Driver error and signalman's error caused passenger train to hit buffers. Derailed coaches fouled main line and were hit by two express train.[195]
19 March 1946
1
13
Mottingham: Signaller error. Electric passenger train collided with a stationary light engine that was waiting to move into the sidings.[196]
10 November 1946
0
7
Marshmoor, Hertfordshire: Derailment due to track defects[197]
27 December 1946
0
3
Byfleet, Surrey: Derailment due to track defects[198]
2 January 1947
7
45
Gidea Park: Signalman's error in fog, rear-end collision.
18 May 1947
0
4
Lambrigg Crossing signal box between Grayrigg and Oxenholme: 4 hospitalised. Express driver missed a signal while looking in his food box, hit light engine.[199][200]
22 July 1947
5
64
Polesworth, Warwickshire: Derailment due to track defects.[201]
Train of tank wagons carrying petrol ran out of control and crashed through buffers at Manchester Victoria station, caused by misjudgement by the driver.[206]
Stockport Viaduct, Cheshire/Lancashire: In dense fog, a stationary passenger train from Manchester to Crewe and Disley was run into by following passenger train from Manchester to Buxton, which had passed a signal at danger. Two rearmost coaches of standing train were telescoped.[211]
16 December 1948
1
Mangotsfield: A 16-year old railway employee was hit by a mail train.[212]
Doncaster rail crash, West Riding: Southbound express passenger train to London King's Cross partly derailed on a poorly maintained crossover shortly after leaving Doncaster, one coach destroyed.
Harrow and Wealdstone rail disaster, Middlesex: During fog conditions, driver failed to obey signals, his train struck the rear of a stationary train, a third train travelling in the opposite direction struck the wreckage.[221]
25 October 1952
0
3
Crewkerne: Brake rod on locomotive tender detached and debris flew through coach.[222]
5 May 1953
6
0
Ystrad Caron level-crossing near Tregaron: van with six occupants on crossing hit by non-scheduled train.[223]
15 August 1953
10
58
Irk Valley Junction rail crash near Manchester: 5-car EMU train collided with steam-hauled train at Irk Valley Junction, Collyhurst, caused by a signalman's error and driver inattention.[citation needed]
Longniddry station: A section of track fell off a down freight train on to the up line derailing a parcel train from Edinburgh to Kings Cross.[225]
23 January 1955
17
43
Sutton Coldfield rail crash: Train on diversionary route, pilot driver with route knowledge was unfamiliar with type of locomotive, speed on curve, train strewn over platforms.[citation needed]
28 May 1955
3
40
Wormit, Fife: Train derailed at excessive speed in tunnel, overturning onto a platform at Wormit Station. Locomotive fireman and two passengers on footplate killed.[226]
Lewisham rail crash, south-east London: Missed signals in fog, rear-end collision with another passenger train. Overbridge fell on wreckage when bridge's abutment was struck by derailing locomotive and coaches.[229]
Maze Hill station: Signal passed at danger, head-on collision of 4-car EMU from Gravesend Central to Charing Cross with 9-coach empty passenger stock train being shunted by a steam locomotive[230]
25 August 1958
5
41
Eastbourne station rail crash, 22 serious injuries, 19 minor: Sleeper train from Glasgow passed signal at danger, collided head-on with 12-car EMU from Ore to London Bridge as the latter is leaving platform at the station.
19 November 1958
0
5
Hitchin rail crash, No fatalities, 5 minor injuries: The 3:25 am London-to-Peterborough freight train collided with the rear of the 2:28 am London-to-Peterborough freight train which had been held at the down main 'Home' signal. Some wagons derailed across the up main and were almost immediately hit by the 10:35 pm Leeds-to-London freight train. A stationary light engine on the adjacent up slow was also struck and overturned.[231]
26 October 1959
0
22
Ardsley: Collision due to inadequate signalling arrangements.[232]
21 January 1960
5
9
Settle rail crash: Locomotive slide bar fell off due to failed bolts; connecting rod became detached destroying adjacent track; oncoming goods train derailed into side of passenger train.
24 November 1960
2
26
Between Pontrhydyfen and Cwmavon, Glamorgan: Head-on collision between 3-car passenger DMU travelling from Swansea High Street to Barry Island and a runaway steam-hauled goods train.[233]
2 December 1960
4
1
North Belton level-crossing, near Dunbar, East Lothian: Car with five occupants hit by two freight trains on a level-crossing.[234]
8 February 1961
0
6
Royton, Lancashire: Runaway train crashed through buffers and demolished a pair of terraced houses.[235]
13 February 1961
3
7
Baschurch, Shropshire: Signalman's error caused collision between passenger train travelling at 40–45 mph (64–72 km/h) and freight train locomotive that was shunting its wagons into a siding. The locomotive, tender and a stores van of the passenger train overturned and ended up on the station platform where the stores van burst into flames and burned out.[236]
18 April 1961
2
42
Pitsea, Essex: steam-hauled passenger train from London Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness overturned after running over catch points.[237]
Coppenhall Junction rail disaster, Cheshire: Express hit a second express from the rear. Driver passed signal at danger as phone was out of order, hit stationary train in next section.
25 January 1963
2
3
Bracebridge Gas Sidings, Lincoln: 2-car DMU travelling from Grantham to Lincoln Central collided with a stationary steam locomotive.[238]
Stanton Gate, Stapleford, Nottinghamshire: two freight trains collided due one passing a signal at danger.[240]
13 December 1963
1
31
Shoreditch, east London: Rear coach of a Liverpool Street-to-Gidea Park train derailed shortly after leaving terminus and is struck by a train travelling in the opposite direction.[241]
5 March 1964
2
0
Itchingfield Junction, West Sussex: Collision between up goods train (Brighton to Three Bridges, diverted via Steyning line), which overran signals, and down goods train (Three Bridges to Chichester)[242]
28 May 1964
3
27
Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire: Train derailed crossing a temporary railway bridge over road widening work at well in excess of the temporary 10 mph (16 km/h) speed limit.[243]
3 June 1964
3
17
Bradford Exchange station, West Riding: Driver of DMU train suffered heart attack, train ran out of control on steep downhill approach to station and collided with a stationary mail train at platform.[244]
25 June 1964
1
4
Nantwich station level-crossing, Nantwich, Cheshire: Express passenger train from Plymouth to Manchester passed signal at danger and crashed through level-crossing gates into 2 road vehicles.[245]
5 October 1964
0
1
Finsbury Park: Two passenger trains collided in dense fog when the green signal was given in error. The trains were the 08:20 Kings Cross – Doncaster and 09:00 Kings Cross – Newcastle. The only injury was to the driver, who had to be cut from the train.[246]
10 October 1964
1
4
Millbrook, Bedfordshire: Eight-car DMU from St. Pancras to Bedford travelling at 60 mph (97 km/h) when a fire broke out under the last coach. One passenger died and others injured after jumping from moving train to escape fire.[247]
11 January 1965
1
2
Coton Hill rail crash, Shrewsbury: Driver of goods train failed to obey stop sign, derailed on trap points and crashed through Coton Hill signal box.[248]
29 March 1965
2
15
Elm Park, near Dagenham, Essex: Derailment- Unknown persons placed obstruction on line, derailed London-Fenchurch St.-to-Shoeburyness passenger train travelling at 70 mph (110 km/h)[249]
20 May 1965
0
11
Hest Bank, Lancashire: Derailment caused by broken rail.[250]
4 September 1965
1
5
Holyhead station, Anglesey: local passenger train from Bangor collided with stationary boat train to Euston due to inattention and lack of caution of driver and fireman.[251]
22 September 1965
3
8
Roundstone level-crossing, Angmering, Sussex: In thick fog a 4-car EMU passenger train crashed through crossing gates, closed across line in error by crossing keeper, and collided with a Southdown double-deck bus traversing the crossing, pushing it 54 yards (49 m) along the track. Bus destroyed by fire.[252]
17 December 1965
2
0
Bridgend, Glamorgan: Locomotive derailed due to landslide whilst hauling train of empty passenger coaches, and this in turn was run into by a freight train.[253]
13 May 1966
2
5
Acton Grange Junction, Warrington, Cheshire: Rear section of moving freight train became uncoupled on gradient in the dark and ran downhill into an oncoming London Euston-to-Stranraer boat train, killing the driver and co-driver of the latter train.[254]
28 February 1967
9
16
Stechford rail crash, Birmingham: Misunderstood hand signal coupled with an unauthorised movement of a diesel locomotive crossing the running lines into the path of multiple unit passenger train travelling at 60 mph (97 km/h).
5 March 1967
5
18
Connington South rail crash, Huntingdonshire: Signal operator wilfully defeated interlocking and moved facing points while passenger train was passing over them.
22 May 1967
0
12
Tyseley North Junction, Birmingham: A.W.S. pickup shoe fixing bolts worked loose and fell out under the locomotive hauling a London-Birmingham express passenger train. The shoe struck the stretcher bar of facing points at around 60 mph, causing the points to move under the train.[255]
11 July 1967
0
13
Maidstone East station, Kent: Freight train passed signal at danger and ran into rear of stationary passenger train; error by guard resulted in inadequate brake power; excessive speed.[256]
31 July 1967
7
45
Thirsk rail crash (1967): Derailment of the rear portion of a freight train led to wagon fouling adjacent track, passenger express ran into wagon at approximately 50 mph (80 km/h).
27 September 1967
1
23
Foxhall Junction, Didcot: Derailment caused by train driver driving at excessive speed through crossover. (O. S. Nock was a passenger).[257]
5 November 1967
49
78
Hither Green rail crash: Hastings-to-Charing Cross train derailed at 70 mph (110 km/h) (113 km/h) due to broken rail.[258]
Peterborough North: Freight train ran into back of another freight train due to driver error.[261]
23 March 1968
2
1
Hatfield, Hertfordshire: Train driver error caused freight train to crash through buffers on a spur line and into an over-line bridge abutment at about 30 mph (48 km/h).[262]
16 April 1968
5
0
Beckingham, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire: Stalled car hit by train on half barrier level-crossing situated between Gainsborough Trent junction and Beckingham (the crossing was subsequently closed and a by-pass built). All five occupants in the car were killed, including three children.[263]
12 June 1968
2
10
Sandridge, Hertfordshire: Fire on diesel multiple unit after gearbox failure damaged fuel tank; poor maintenance.[264]
9 September 1968
2
3
Castlecary, Stirlingshire: Locomotive running light ran into the back of a stationary six-car DMU standing at a signal.[265]
4 January 1969
4
11
Marden rail crash, Marden, Kent: Express passenger train ran past signal at danger in fog and collided with parcels train.[266]
8 March 1969
2
45
Ashchurch, Gloucestershire: Bristol-to-Newcastle upon Tyne express passenger train hit part of a freight train which was derailing due to travelling at excess speed. The sides of several coaches on the passenger train were torn off and two coaches derailed.[267]
8 April 1969
2
30
Monmore Green, Wolverhampton: Freight train struck head-on by a passenger train which passed signal at danger; subsequent fire.[268]
7 May 1969
6
121
Morpeth rail crash (1969), Northumberland: Driver inattention led to night sleeper train derailing on tight curve at excessive speed (80 mph (130 km/h).
31 December 1969
1
9
Roade Junction, Northamptonshire: 4-car Coventry-to-London-Euston EMU passenger train collided with a derailed freight train.[269]
20 May 1970
2
13
Audenshaw Junction rail crash, Lancashire: Points changed under train; signalman tampered with equipment to speed up working.
26 February 1971
1
13
Sheerness-on-Sea, Kent: 10 coach EMU passenger train overran buffers, 13 on train injured, woman waiting in booking hall killed. Driver taken ill.[270]
18 May 1971
2
1
Middlesbrough, North Riding: Freight train ran into rear of stationary freight train standing at a signal having not been warned by signalman, who should have refused permission to enter that section, of latter's presence.[271]
2 July 1971
2
26
Tattenhall Junction, near Chester, Cheshire: School excursion train derailed; buckled track.[272]
Eltham Well Hall rail crash, south-east London: Excessive speed on curve: driver intoxicated, assistant driver lacked route knowledge.
16 December 1972
0
11
Copyhold Junction, just north of Haywards Heath on London-to-Brighton Line: Slow train from Haywards Heath passed signal at danger, moving onto through line from local line, struck by Victoria-bound fast train.[274]
30 August 1973
5
51
Shields Junction near Glasgow: Collision between two passenger trains followed by fire; no clear cause – driver possibly suffered heart attack.[275]
19 December 1973
10
94
Ealing rail crash, west London: Battery box door fell open, hit lineside equipment which operated points under train.[276]
11 June 1974
1
35
Pollokshields East, Glasgow: EMU passenger train passed signal at danger and collided with DMU passenger train; driver error.[277]
Nuneaton rail crash, Warwickshire: Excessive speed caused derailment of sleeper train. Temporary speed limit equipment faulty and inattention by driver.
26 October 1975
1
41
Lunan Bay, Angus: Collision of recovery locomotive and failed train (10.15 Aberdeen to London-King's Cross). Confusion over exact location of failed train and excessive speed.[278]
3 January 1976
2
2
Worcester Tunnel Junction, Worcester: Locomotive running light runs into the rear of a parcels train due to driver failure to comply with signalman's instructions.[279]
2 June 1976
0
0
Reading, Berkshire: tire failure results in derailment of express train from Penzance to Paddington[280]
Between Wolverton and Bletchley. Derailment of express parcels train due to undetected continuous-welded rail buckle in hot weather.[282]
5 September 1977
2
10
Farnley Junction, Leeds: Signalling problems resulting from technical work by engineering staff lead to head-on collision between passenger train and mail train.[283]
Between Hassocks and Preston Park, Sussex: Train ran into rear of another due to incorrect passing of both a caution signal and next signal (showing no aspect), as per rule book requirements.[285]
1 March 1979
3
5
Naas level-crossing, Lydney, Gloucestershire: Lorry crossed unmanned level-crossing in front of Cardiff-to-Newcastle upon Tyne passenger train travelling at 60 mph (97 km/h). Train crew and lorry driver killed.[286]
25 February 1979
1
9
Hilsea, Portsea Island: Train struck overhanging crane on adjacent track.
Bushbury Junction, West Midlands: Camshaft failure of a switch diamond crossing caused the approaching Manchester-Piccadilly-to-Birmingham International express to derail at around 35 mph (56 km/h), train lightly loaded. Driver did not return to his duties and died 1 year after the incident.[287]
Bushey, Hertfordshire: On a section of continuous welded rail a welded joint failed. 20:25 Euston-to-Manchester-Piccadilly derailed at 96 mph (154 km/h). Coaches derailed blocking the adjacent Up Fast Line and Watford DC Line.[289]
9 July 1980
0
21
Holborn rail crash, central London: Inattention by driver, signal passed at danger, rear-end collision.[290]
7 November 1980
2
1
Crewe, Cheshire: Freight train ran into rear of another freight train for reasons unknown.[291]
8 December 1981
1
23
Ulleskelf, East Riding: Broken rail led to derailment of York-to-Liverpool passenger train. Two rearmost coaches rolled down steep embankment.[292]
11 December 1981
4
5
Seer Green rail crash, Buckinghamshire: Signalman misread equipment, excess speed after driver authorised to pass signal at danger, rear-end collision.
4 May 1982
0
31
Nairn's level-crossing, Forteviot, Perth & Kinross: Agricultural tractor and trailer grounded on farm crossing hit by express passenger train at 55 mph (89 km/h). Entire train derailed.[293]
9 December 1982
1
2
Linslade Tunnel, West Coast Main Line. At 2 am a northbound passenger train derailed when it struck permanent way material that had fallen from a previous train. Locomotive hit bridge pier, driver killed.[294]
3 February 1983
1
12
Elgin, Moray: Broken rail leads to derailment of Aberdeen-to-Inverness passenger train, rearmost coach turned on its side and slid about 100 metres.[295]
Wrawby Junction rail crash, Lincolnshire: Passenger DMU train hit and partially derailed by freight train mistakenly signalled to proceed whilst line ahead in use by passenger train.
Summit tunnel fire, Todmorden, West Yorkshire: Faulty axle box caused derailment of petrol tank wagons in tunnel, fire burned for over 36 hours.
31 May 1985
0
104
Battersea Park Station, London: Gatwick Express passenger train passed signal at danger in fine, sunny conditions and ran into rear of commuter train that was accelerating away from another signal at which it had been held.[300]
6 November 1985
0
40
Copyhold Junction, near Haywards Heath, Sussex: 4-car EMU passenger train passed signal at danger at night, passed over points and collided head-on with another 4-car EMU passenger train travelling in opposite direction.[301]
9 March 1986
1
31
Chinley, Derbyshire: Multiple errors by inexperienced signalman led to passenger train being sent onto line where two coupled locomotives were waiting. Collision despite driver of lead waiting locomotives starting to reverse when he saw other train approaching.[302]
15 June 1986
0
2
Motherwell: Defective and poorly maintained track coupled with hot weather. At approximately 16.31 the 16.10 Glasgow-Central-to-London-Euston passenger train became derailed on the approach to Motherwell Station.[citation needed]
Colwich rail crash, Staffordshire: Head-on collision at converging route. Driver misread signals after failing to read a notification regarding recent signalling changes.[303]
11 September 1986
2
2
Bridgeton, Glasgow: 2 empty passenger trains collided in tunnel during shunting movement killing 2 crew. Signaller cleared signal for reversing train which did not pass signal after 5 minutes, then set new route for incoming train. Reversing train passed signal, now at danger, and collided with incoming train. Deceased guard did not keep adequate lookout, signaller did not check driver of reversing train knew signal had been reset to danger.[304]
Sandy, Bedfordshire: Wheel failure caused by metal fatigue. East Coast mainline express derailed south of the station at approximately 100 mph (160 km/h) and came to a halt 400 metres north of the station.[329]
Lawrence Hill, Bristol: Driver injured due to incorrect brake operation an empty mail train passed 2 red lights and hit the back of a loaded coal train.[336]
28 February 2001
10
82 serious
Great Heck Rail CrashEast Coast Main Line, near Selby, North Yorkshire: Driver of Land Rover fell asleep and ran down embankment onto track where it was hit by passenger train and a freight train.[337]
28 February 2002
1
14
Nocton railway disaster, Lincolnshire: 1 killed in van, 14 injured on train after van crashed through wall and fell onto track.
Southall East: Broken fishplate caused HST coach to derail, throwing ballast through windows.[340]
7 July 2003
3
5
Near Pershore, Worcestershire: Minibus carrying farm workers struck by Hereford-to- London-Paddington train on a farm level crossing. Lineside telephone to contact signaller not used. Network Rail had visited site 2 months earlier and reminded farmer of safety obligations.[341]
Barrow upon Soar train crash, Leicestershire: Collision between train and an iron footbridge toppled just beforehand by a ballast tipper lorry.
4 January 2010
0
2
Carrbridge derailment, Scottish Highlands: Freight train derailed just past Carrbridge railway station, Rail Accident Investigation Branch confirmed accident was snow and ice working its way into the space between the brake blocks, line was closed until 13 January. Other possible contributions to the accident was that ploughed snow was left to accumulate too close to the side of the tracks, and the speed of passing trains may have led to snow being pulled into the brake mechanisms.
16 January 2010
1
0
Welsh Marches Line, Moreton-on-Lugg, Herefordshire: an Arriva Trains Wales train struck two cars on a level-crossing between Hereford and Leominster. One of the cars' passengers was killed.[353][354] Investigation concluded that the signaller had opened the barriers as the train approached, believing it had already passed, after being distracted by a telephone call.[355]
17 August 2010
0
23
Little Cornard derailment, Suffolk: sludge tank wagon at telephone-operated works level crossing hit passenger train.
5 November 2010
0
6
Oxshott, Surrey: a cement mixer lorry fell off a road bridge, striking a Guildford-to-London train. 1 passenger and the lorry driver were seriously injured; others received minor injuries.[356][357]
22 October 2011
1
0
Liverpool James Street: 16-year-old girl killed when she fell between departing train and platform. Guard who gave the signal to depart while girl was leaning on train convicted of manslaughter and given 5-year jail sentence.[358][359]
21 July 2013
0
8
Norwich station, Norfolk: 8 passengers taken to hospital after an Abellio Greater AngliaDMU crashed at 8 mph (13 km/h) into two other stationary DMUs in the station. Insufficient braking due to driver inattention. RAIB report indicated employer failed to spot drivers previous lapses in concentration.[360]
Roudham, Norfolk: An Abellio Greater Anglia train from Norwich to Cambridge hit a tractor on a level crossing. The tractor driver suffered serious injuries. Train driver and ten passengers sustained minor injuries.[363]
10 September 2016
0
5
Dymchurch, Kent: Train hit a tractor on a level crossing. Train driver and 4 passengers injured.[364]
16 September 2016
0
2
Watford Junction: A London Midland train from Milton Keynes to Euston de-railed following a landslide and was hit by an oncoming train in a tunnel.[365]
3 July 2019
2
0
Margam, South Wales: Two railway workers were killed after being struck by a Great Western Railway train near Port Talbot Parkway.[366] Following confusion about duties, staff worked without a lookout.[367]
Llangennech derailment: a freight train carrying diesel derailed and caught fire at around 23:20 BST. About 100 people living within 800 m of the fire were evacuated from their homes. No injuries or fatalities were reported.[370]
13 March 2021
0
1
Kirkby train crash, Merseyside: A Merseyrail Class 507 overran the buffers at Kirkby Station and derailed. Twelve people suffered minor injuries.[371]
31 October 2021
0
14
2021 Salisbury rail crash: A South Western Railway service collided with a Great Western service in Fisherton Tunnel on its approach to Salisbury station. Train was unable to stop at signal due to leaves on the line and crashed into a second train.[372]
24 August 2023
1
1
Nottinghamshire Police sergeant Graham Saville was struck by a train whilst attempting to save a distressed man on the tracks near Balderton. Sergeant Saville was taken to hospital in critical condition whilst another man was sent to hospital with non-life threatening injuries after being electrocuted. Saville died in hospital five days later.[373]
There were 732 deaths from 146 accidents in 46 years when there was national rail provided by the state between 17 April 1948 and 15 October 1994. There were 92 deaths from 50 accidents in 28 years when there was privatised rail between 31 January 1995 and 24 August 2021.
Despite its age and high usage, train related accidents which have involved passenger fatalities are exceptionally rare. The last major fatal collision was the Moorgate tube crash in 1975. Derailments in the period 2003–2004 killed no-one, although the Chancery Lane derailment in 2003 led to a closure of the Central line whilst urgent safety checks were undertaken.
For much of the 19th and 20th centuries, working on the United Kingdom's railway was very dangerous for many staff. In 1900, for example, for every one passenger killed or injured in a crash, there were seven worker casualties. This amounted to 15,698 staff injuries and 631 fatalities.[375]
The 'Railway Work, Life & Death' project is uncovering details of British and Irish staff accidents before 1939 and making them freely available, via a database of transcriptions of staff accident investigations and other related records. At March 2023, the database documented nearly 50,000 individuals.[376]
The National Railway Museum has an online exhibit, looking at railway safety—with a focus on the staff.[377]
Gallery
Sonning Cutting, close to the scene of the accident, 24 December 1841. Workmen appear to be repairing bank-slips on the southern side of the cutting at left. Print by JC Bourne published in 1846
The Dee bridge after its collapse, 24 May 1847
Staplehurst rail crash, 9 June 1865
Shipton-on-Cherwell Disaster, 24 December 1874
Fallen Tay Bridge from the north, 28 December 1879
^This total comprises 214 soldiers on the troop train, 9 passengers from the 2 passenger trains, 3 railway staff and 4 children, believed to be stowaways on the troop train. Col Druitt's official report into the accident gives the figure as 227 (he did not include the 4 children), but he compiled the report very soon after the accident and gave the number of troops killed as 215 which was later revised downwards by the army to 214, the figure which appears on the memorial in the Rosebank Cemetery in Edinburgh.
^"Huskisson Statue". National Conservation Centre. Liverpool: National Museums Liverpool. Archived from the original on 9 October 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
^Tyler, Henry (1871). General Report ... to the Board of Trade Upon the Accidents which Have Occurred on Railways During the Year 1870. London: HMSO. p. 46.
^"The Collision at Bishopstoke". Hampshire Advertiser County Newspaper. 29 October 1870. pp. 4, 8.
^Department of Transport (1980). Railway Accident Report on the Derailment that occurred on 13th August 1979 at Bushbury Junction in the London Midland Region British Railways. London: HMSO.
^Returns of Accidents and Casualties as reported to the Board of Trade by the several railway companies of the United Kingdom during the year ending 31st December 1900 (London: HMSO, 1901), tables 6 and 8.