Langbahn Team – Weltmeisterschaft

1965 Winsford railway accident

1965 Winsford blowback
Details
Date5 June 1965 (1965-06-05)
LocationWinsford railway station
OperatorLondon Midland Region of British Railways
Incident typeFire blowback
Statistics
Trains1
Crew2
Deaths1
Injured1 (serious)

On 5 June 1965, British Rail Standard Class 7 locomotive 70051 Firth of Forth was hauling a passenger train when a blowback of the fire[1] occurred near Winsford, severely injuring both traincrew. Driver Wallace Oakes managed to safely bring the train to a stand, but both he and fireman Gwilym Roberts were severely injured. Oakes died a week later. He was awarded the George Cross and the Carnegie Hero Trust bronze medal for his actions. Class 86 locomotive 86 260 was later named Wallace Oakes G.C. in his honour.[2]

References

  1. ^ "The management of steam locomotive boilers. Risks to people: reversal of draught (blowback) resulting from the failure of steam pipes" (PDF). Office of Rail and Road. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 February 2017. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
  2. ^ Courtney, Geoff (30 June 2017). "Hero steam driver's George Cross may topple world railwayana record". Heritage Railway (230). Horncastle: Mortons Media Ltd: 9. ISSN 1466-3562.