To be fair, I think the reason that there is a memorial to John Axon up at Chapel South station is because of his undoubted bravery, which won him the George Cross, and subsequently was the subject of one of the Radio Ballads produced by the BBC in the 50s/60s.

This year, his story has been added to the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.

I am not for one minute suggesting that the crew of the loco that fell into Wharf Road was any less brave, in fact I suspect that most railwaymen would have done what Axon did, in similar circumstances.

However, I totally agree with R.S-S. that there should be some sort of permanent reminder of the Wharf Road crash. Perhaps, if there are photos relating to this on display this coming weekend in the Mechanics Institute, there could be both a "petition" form for visitors to sign, and  a collection box to see how many people are prepared to put their money where their mouth is.

 

Hi,
I added a signature sheet when we had an exhibition of old photos  in the Mechanics Institute several years ago.
I think there were around 3 or 4 signatures at the most. Despite that I did get a sense that it would be well received. No real effort was made to obtain signatures - we just left a sheet and a pen out.
 I saw the story about the plaque in Chapel.and thought again about the possibility of putting some up in Whaley Bridge. The plaques are not cheap - say £150 each .
I'm happy to follow this through , possibly through Whaley4Wards.Cant do it on my own though - I need some support behind the idea.
Cheers

Jon. 

Sorry i know this takes you back to the Chapel crash but i thought it was worth a mention. I am a gas engineer who does work for people who contact age uk. Through this i was asked to put a new heating system in for a gent who contacted me . His name was Ron Scanlon. At the time i new nothing about the crash and asked him what he had been upto during his life. He started by telling me he was in the north atlantic during the war on a warship . At this point he went silent for quite a while . He then started to weep and tell me of his time as a fireman on a steam train working out of edgerley. He then told me why he was upset and about the crash. He said they repoted the leaking steam pipe at Buxton and all they did was tighten it again. As they got near dove holes the pipe blew staight in the drivers face. The driver Mr Axon made him jump off to raise the alarm. He told me how he tried to put the breaks on the wagons but to no avail becuase of the weight they were carrying. He told me a few more details and went silent again.He then told me how he still has nightmares because he can still hear the driver hanging on the whistle all the way to Chapel. As you can imagine very moving when you heard this from him. After he calmed down a bit he showed me the Fifty pound compensation cheque and bravery certificate he got from BR over a can of beer.I tried to get him to go to the plaque ceremony at Chapel but he said he just wanted to try to forget. He was a Great bloke with a great personality . Sorry just thought i would share this. 

A comprehensive guide to such plaques.
http://www.english-herit...plaques-guidance-pt1.pdf

Good afternoon.

I would like to echo the thoughts of R. Stephenson-Smythe, Gnatalee, lord cornflake, richard / Fr Jamie, buggyite, Well Known Norm, Chairman Jon The Whaley One, davethescope, Whaley Laner and RockBanker as I consider some form of permanent reminder of the tragic events of 1885 to be an admirable idea.

I would suggest a plaque and a short description of what happened on 17 February 1885 together with copies of the photographs kindly posted by R. S-S, are erected at Whaley Bridge Station if finances permit.