Another interesting post R. S-S, although very sad that such an accident is long forgotten and unmarked. Mr Bagshaw and Mr Moores turn up for a normal day's work and don't return home. Do you know whether these men were local to Whaley?

The picture is intriguing since there doesn't seem to be a great deal of damage to the engine, considering it landed in Wharf Road! I wonder how they removed the engine?

Gnats

Edited by user 10 February 2010 17:45:10(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Wonderful photos again R.S-S, but why is Brian Woolley in all your photographs? Are you his  secret admirer ? OR ARE YOU HIM ???    You seem to know a lot about W.B. !!!

Hello

I've been doing a little research ('cos I'm just plain nosey) about the two gentleman who died in this train crash.

Firstly, Robert Bagshaw: the death of Robert Edward Bagshaw appears on FreeBMD showing that he was 29 years old and the death was registered in the March quarter 1885 in Macclesfield. (The March quarter covers Jan,Feb,March).  This would mean he was born c.1856 (depending on the month of birth).

On the 1881 census there is a Robert Edward Basgshaw living with his parents and siblings at Higher Eaves, Chapel-en-le-Frith. His occupation is given as Fireman, L_NWR (which I assume is the railway company involved). In the household in 1881 are William Bagshaw (Farmer) age 57, Emily Hannah age 52, Robert Edward age 26 unmarried, Edwin Bagshaw age 20 (unmarried) apprentice joiner, Elizabeth __ Bagshaw age 18, Emily Annie Bagshaw age 16. I am unable to decipher the occupation of Elizabeth.

William Moores is proving a little more difficult to track down. There is no record on FreeBMD for his death in the March quarter for either Cheshire/Derbyshire but there is a record for the September quarter for the death of a William Moores age 40 in Stockport which suggests, if this is the correct person, he didn't die in the accident but later on. Of course, I cannot say that this is the right person - it needs a little more investigation!

Regarding Robert Bagshaw, there may still be family members living locally who have heard about this accident involving a family member.

I will carry on trying to find out any more information

Gnats

Edited by user 10 February 2010 18:32:11(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

I have just read the report in The Guardian for this accident and it states there were 3 men on the engine - the driver, the stoker and the guard. Robert Bagshaw is named as the driver and the report states that he was 29 and lived with his parents at Ivy Cottage in Chapel-en-le-Frith.

After the train left the rails the stoker jumped to the ground and escaped with a severe shaking (he is named as James Morton who resided at Stone Bench (?), Buxton.

William Moore is reported as being one year younger than Robert Bagshaw, married and living at Edgeley in Stockport - I suspect this rules out the William Moore who I found earlier on the FreeBMD index. This needs even more investigation now!

Both men who died did so at the scene although they didn't die immediately - one did not regain consciousness and the other was able to speak a few words - both were dead within 15-20 mins.

Gnats

Edited by user 10 February 2010 22:41:01(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Hi,

Lots of information about the Chapel crash exists:

Edited by user 11 February 2010 23:59:41(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

File Attachment(s):

MoT_Chapel1957.pdf (721kb) downloaded 0 time(s).

Having studied the newspaper archives, I realise that our local railways seem to have had more than their share of disasters and mishaps.

The first accident in December 1864 occurred during the building of the Midland line at Bugsworth. The new tunnel was being dug when a huge landslip buried the tunnel entrance killing one man and trapping eleven others together with four horses.  It was many hours before rescuers dug their way in to the tunnel where they found the eleven men hard at work.  It had been decided that as rescue was just a matter of time, they may as well occupy themselves by carrying on with their duties.

Only three years later in September 1867 the most serious of the local rail incidents took place on the same line .  A goods train had entered the tunnel between Chapel and Peak Dale and had stopped to unload gravel tor track maintenance.  Against the rules, a following train carrying 1000 sheep and cattle was allowed to enter the tunnel where it crashed into the stationary ballast train.  A little girl had taken some clogs to her father who was working in the tunnel and together they were in one of the wagons. She was the first fatality of the day.  Several other workmen were injured.  Two engines hauled the cattle train and these left the track causing the  wagons to become detached and these started to roll backwards.  On leaving the tunnel, the guard and three drovers jumped and their injuries were not known.  The wagons sped through Bugsworth from where the signalman was able to warn New Mills and have the signals set to danger.   A passenger express had already set off from New Mills and was halted by the signal after some distance. The runaway wagons were seen approaching; Driver Cooper set the train in reverse and he, the fireman and guard all jumped off.  There was still a collision in which four cattle drovers were killed and a fifth injured.  Many sheep and cattle lay dead amongst the wreckage. The express in the meantime was still travelling backwards out of control and was not brought to a halt until directed into a siding at Romiley. None of the passengers were injured although some suffered from shock.

The next incident was on the North Western line. In May 1872 a freight train heading for Buxton crossed to the down line at Dove Holes to allow  a folowing passenger train to pass. The engine was detatched allowing the train of 31 wagons to run away. By the time it passed through Whaley Bridge it was travelling at a tremendous rate.  The line levels off on the approach to Furness Vale and here it came to a stand. No injuries were reported.

In March 1876 two mineral trains collided between Furness Vale and Newtown without any injuries. The accident ocurred at 2am but the line had been cleared by 9am.

Yet another mishap in February 1930 when Whaley Bridge goods yard became blocked after a number of wagons crashed into a platform. Again no injuries.

And yet more train crashes !

My first didn't involve a train but on 4th December 1863 a road race took place on the Whaley to Buxton road between the mail coach and the railway omnibus. The omnibus gave a lurch and a young man named Frankel was thrown to the ground injuring his brain and spinal cord.  It was expected that these injuries would result in idiotcy.  The Lord Chief Justice hearing the case against the railway company was "frequently choked by sobs" such was his sorrow at the sight of Mr Frankel.

The 13th November 1874 and a heavy goods train laden with lime and pig iron had left Chapel headed towards Whaley Bridge. Because of the steep descent the driver proceeded very slowly but after two miles was caught up by a following passenger train.  Because of the sharp curves the driver had not seen the goods train ahead and ran into it's rear. Fortunately the driver was able to brake in sufficient time to avoid any injuries.

1913 and on April 10th the 8.40pm from London Road was approaching Whaley Bridge station. It was the usual practice for the preceeding goods train to be shunted onto the opposite track to allow the passenger train to pass. On this evening, the engine had been detached to take on water, leaving the trucks in the path of the approaching train.  A number of minor injuries resulted and many of the trucks were scattered down the side of the embankment.

WHALEY HALL

From Fr Jamie

Dear R S S,

Greetings to you,  and hope you are well.

It must of been a great shock all those years ago, for the peole of Whaley Bridge, to have such an accident.

I am pleased that you put the information on the Forum,  and on the anniversary  of the    Train accident,  I too took time to remember  those Souls who died that evening.

Perhaps something engraved and put on Wharf Rd would be good to remember the accident, of Feb 17th 1885 at 10.03pm.