On the 9th February 1957 a freight train’s brakes failed as it was travelling down from Buxton.
The driver of the train was John Axon who stayed in his train trying to stop it all the way through Dove Holes until it crashed into the back of another freight train at Chapel Station.
Mr Axon was killed as was the guard, John Creamer, on the other train.
A tragic event by any standards.
Mr Axon was hailed a hero and was awarded the George Cross posthumously.
Fifty years later, yes that’s right fifty, tribute was paid to these two railway workers: a plaque was unveiled at Chapel station as a tribute to the two men who gave their lives in the course of duty.
Not before time if you ask me and part of your duty is not giving up your life for your employers.
But that is not the only crash on that line that has claimed the lives of the railwaymen. We’ve had one here in Whaley and it wasn’t 50 years ago. It was 125 years ago next week.
A train left the line and ended up in Wharf Road both the driver and the guard were killed.
It happened on February 17th 1885 at 10.03 pm the men were Robert Bagshaw and William Moores.
Frozen signals were the cause of the accident it was decided.
So the men did nothing wrong except to turn up for work that day but I do not know if any lasting tribute has ever been paid to the men involved in that Whaley crash.
Maybe there has been a fitting tribute to the 2 men who went to work one day and never came home; I really don’t know. If there has I personally have not heard about it.
I can’t recall seeing a plaque at the bridge or on the station a short distance away. That’s not to say there isn’t one but if there isn’t maybe there should be.
I haven’t been on Whaley Station for quite a few years now but certainly I have been since 1885 and I still can not recall anything.
As I say there may well be something and hopefully there is but it is a significant anniversary in the history of rail travel in Whaley Bridge and if nothing has been done in the past then this year could be the one that finally remembers the men who went to work and never came home.
Perhaps the Friends of Whaley Station, some of whom are also on WBTC, could come on here and let us know.
R. S-S