3. OFF THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW
  4. OFF THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW

OFF THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW

This gallery is a sort of compendium of all the bent and the broken, the crashed and the bashed, both steam age and modern, loco and stock, both British and foreign. Most are duplicates of pictures to be found in other galleries, some taken by me and some very obviously not. These pictures are displayed for recreational/information/research purposes only and are not for sale under any circumstances. Every effort has been made to verify the information in the captions but its accuracy cannot be guaranteed.
PLEASE NOTE : IMPORTANT MESSAGE : Please be aware that I do not sell copies of ANY of my pictures, DO NOT email copies to viewers or allow re-posting on other sites. Neither do I wish to enter into correspondence with any individual or group regarding my pictures or their captions. All comments reflect my personal opinions and I am not prepared to discuss these with anyone. I apologise for this disclaimer but I'm afraid it has been forced upon me. I have no wish to upset anyone and please continue to enjoy my pictures at your leisure.
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SPIJKENISSE, Netherlands - (1) On November 2nd, 2020, whilst being shunted into the stock sidings near the station, this tram ran through the buffers and landed on a 25-foot high sculpture of a massive whale's tail in the adjacent park.<br /> Fortunately, the car was empty of passengers at the time, and while the driver was taken to hospital and checked out, he was, according to press reports, more bewildered and confused than anything else, and was released the same day.<br /> The tram was a write off, with most of it's undercarriage ripped away and the chassis bent. Recovery was not a simple task as the sculptures sit in water and a crane could not be placed beneath the tram to lift it down.<br /> Due to it's precarious position, two large cranes were brought in on November 3rd and in a day-long operation, the leading carriage was removed and lifted down. The rear carriage was recovered from the sidings.
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SPIJKENISSE, Netherlands - (1) On November 2nd, 2020, whilst being shunted into the stock sidings near the station, this tram ran through the buffers and landed on a 25-foot high sculpture of a massive whale's tail in the adjacent park.
Fortunately, the car was empty of passengers at the time, and while the driver was taken to hospital and checked out, he was, according to press reports, more bewildered and confused than anything else, and was released the same day.
The tram was a write off, with most of it's undercarriage ripped away and the chassis bent. Recovery was not a simple task as the sculptures sit in water and a crane could not be placed beneath the tram to lift it down.
Due to it's precarious position, two large cranes were brought in on November 3rd and in a day-long operation, the leading carriage was removed and lifted down. The rear carriage was recovered from the sidings.

  • SLADE GREEN - Class 455 2-car unit 5740 seems to have suffered a shunting mishap at Slade Green Depot, 04/82.
  • SLAGHT - On 1 March 1st, 1990, the 2035 passenger service from Belfast to Londonderry hit a car at the ungated Slaght level crossing south of Ballymena. One passenger on the train plus the driver and passenger in the car were killed. 80-class power car No. 90 has already been removed from the site, while a road crane begins recovery work on coaches 771 & 745. All units later returned to service.
  • SLIGO - On February 12th, 1971, a number of wagons on the 1930 goods to Sligo from North Wall were derailed. They piled up just on the Mullingar side of No.46 signal cabin completely blocking the line. It appears that a wagon in the middle of the train was derailed some distance on the Dublin side of the cabin and that the following wagons came off the road at the level crossing.<br /> Trains were diverted via Portarlington and buses were called in until the following evening, when the siding was slewed into the running line to allow trains to pass the accident scene.<br /> Loco A44R went down with the Inchicore crane and A51R attended with the Athlone crane. Three oil tankers - nos. 1720, 1726 and 1732 had run down the embankment on the down side and two were upside down in a stream. The line was eventually cleared by the evening of the 14th.<br /> Here we see the debris being cleared up. Note the road tankers in the background, no doubt collecting the oil from the derailed tankers before they could be moved.
  • SOHAM - At 0015 on June 2nd, 1944, a heavy freight train left Whitemoor marshalling yard, near March in Cambridgeshire. The train comprised WD Austerity 2-8-0 engine number WD 7337, 51 wagons and brake van heading for Ipswich. The cargo on the train consisted of 44 wagons containing a total weight of 400 tons of bombs and a further 7 wagons containing other components e.g. tail fins. On board the engine were 41-year-old driver Benjamin Gimbert and 22-year-old fireman James Nightall. The train guard was Herbert Clarke. About 90 minutes later the train was approaching Soham Station when the driver looked back to see flames coming from the leading wagon which contsained about 10 tons of bombs. Gimbert brought the train to a stop and, rather than running for safety, instructed Nightall to uncouple the first wagon from the rest of the train. Nightall managed this quickly although the fire was now quite serious. Gimbert started to draw the wagon away and had moved it about 140 yards and was still alongside the platforms at Soham Station when the bombs went off. A much more severe explosion was averted by the men's actions. The resulting blast killed Nightall immediately and signalman Frank Bridges, who was on the opposite platform, died the next day. Gimbert though badly injured survived. Guard Clarke although stunned by the blast and suffering from shock managed to walk to the next signal box to warn the signalman there what had happened. Apart from these four men, five others suffered severe injuries and another 22 minor injuries. The explosion created a crater 66 feet in diameter and 15 feet deep. The station buildings were almost demolished and there was damage severe or moderate to over 700 properties within 900 yards. Despite the severity of the explosion, emergency repairs meant that the line was open to freight traffic within eighteen hours and passenger traffic resumed the next day. The cause of the fire was never fully explained. The wagon had previously been used to carry a load of bulk sulphur powder and although it would have been cleaned in between loads, the possibility remained that some of the powder remained. Although the wagon was sheeted, the theory advanced was that a cinder from the engine had landed in the wagon and had ignited some sulphur which in turn set alight the wooden body of the wagon. Although this was still a sizeable explosion the effect and damage was little compared to what would have happened if the entire train load of bombs had exploded. The conduct of the driver and fireman in attempting, and succeeding, in reducing the result of the incident was recognised by the award in July 1944 of the George Cross to both men. Here we can see the remains of the locomotive and the size of the crater. The station buildings are almost demolished, as are nearby buildings. Fortunately, there were a number of USAF airbases nearby and the supply of men and heavy equipment was not a problem.
  • SOHAM - At 0015 on June 2nd, 1944, a heavy freight train left Whitemoor marshalling yard, near March in Cambridgeshire. The train comprised WD Austerity 2-8-0 engine number WD 7337, 51 wagons and brake van heading for Ipswich. The cargo on the train consisted of 44 wagons containing a total weight of 400 tons of bombs and a further 7 wagons containing other components e.g. tail fins. On board the engine were 41-year-old driver Benjamin Gimbert and 22-year-old fireman James Nightall. The train guard was Herbert Clarke. About 90 minutes later the train was approaching Soham Station when the driver looked back to see flames coming from the leading wagon which contsained about 10 tons of bombs. Gimbert brought the train to a stop and, rather than running for safety, instructed Nightall to uncouple the first wagon from the rest of the train. Nightall managed this quickly although the fire was now quite serious. Gimbert started to draw the wagon away and had moved it about 140 yards and was still alongside the platforms at Soham Station when the bombs went off. A much more severe explosion was averted by the men's actions. The resulting blast killed Nightall immediately and signalman Frank Bridges, who was on the opposite platform, died the next day. Gimbert though badly injured survived. Guard Clarke although stunned by the blast and suffering from shock managed to walk to the next signal box to warn the signalman there what had happened. Apart from these four men, five others suffered severe injuries and another 22 minor injuries. The explosion created a crater 66 feet in diameter and 15 feet deep. The station buildings were almost demolished and there was damage severe or moderate to over 700 properties within 900 yards. Despite the severity of the explosion, emergency repairs meant that the line was open to freight traffic within eighteen hours and passenger traffic resumed the next day. The cause of the fire was never fully explained. The wagon had previously been used to carry a load of bulk sulphur powder and although it would have been cleaned in between loads, the possibility remained that some of the powder remained. Although the wagon was sheeted, the theory advanced was that a cinder from the engine had landed in the wagon and had ignited some sulphur which in turn set alight the wooden body of the wagon. Although this was still a sizeable explosion the effect and damage was little compared to what would have happened if the entire train load of bombs had exploded. The conduct of the driver and fireman in attempting, and succeeding, in reducing the result of the incident was recognised by the award in July 1944 of the George Cross to both men. Here we can see the remains of the locomotive and the size of the crater. The station buildings are almost demolished, as are nearby buildings. Fortunately, there were a number of USAF airbases nearby and the supply of men and heavy equipment was not a problem.
  • SOHAM - At 0015 on June 2nd, 1944, a heavy freight train left Whitemoor marshalling yard, near March in Cambridgeshire. The train comprised WD Austerity 2-8-0 engine number WD 7337, 51 wagons and brake van heading for Ipswich. The cargo on the train consisted of 44 wagons containing a total weight of 400 tons of bombs and a further 7 wagons containing other components e.g. tail fins. On board the engine were 41-year-old driver Benjamin Gimbert and 22-year-old fireman James Nightall. The train guard was Herbert Clarke. About 90 minutes later the train was approaching Soham Station when the driver looked back to see flames coming from the leading wagon which contsained about 10 tons of bombs. Gimbert brought the train to a stop and, rather than running for safety, instructed Nightall to uncouple the first wagon from the rest of the train. Nightall managed this quickly although the fire was now quite serious. Gimbert started to draw the wagon away and had moved it about 140 yards and was still alongside the platforms at Soham Station when the bombs went off. A much more severe explosion was averted by the men's actions. The resulting blast killed Nightall immediately and signalman Frank Bridges, who was on the opposite platform, died the next day. Gimbert though badly injured survived. Guard Clarke although stunned by the blast and suffering from shock managed to walk to the next signal box to warn the signalman there what had happened. Apart from these four men, five others suffered severe injuries and another 22 minor injuries. The explosion created a crater 66 feet in diameter and 15 feet deep. The station buildings were almost demolished and there was damage severe or moderate to over 700 properties within 900 yards. Despite the severity of the explosion, emergency repairs meant that the line was open to freight traffic within eighteen hours and passenger traffic resumed the next day. The cause of the fire was never fully explained. The wagon had previously been used to carry a load of bulk sulphur powder and although it would have been cleaned in between loads, the possibility remained that some of the powder remained. Although the wagon was sheeted, the theory advanced was that a cinder from the engine had landed in the wagon and had ignited some sulphur which in turn set alight the wooden body of the wagon. Although this was still a sizeable explosion the effect and damage was little compared to what would have happened if the entire train load of bombs had exploded. The conduct of the driver and fireman in attempting, and succeeding, in reducing the result of the incident was recognised by the award in July 1944 of the George Cross to both men. Here we can see the remains of the locomotive and the size of the crater. The station buildings are almost demolished, as are nearby buildings. Fortunately, there were a number of USAF airbases nearby and the supply of men and heavy equipment was not a problem.
  • SOHAM - At 0015 on June 2nd, 1944, a heavy freight train left Whitemoor marshalling yard, near March in Cambridgeshire. The train comprised WD Austerity 2-8-0 engine number WD 7337, 51 wagons and brake van heading for Ipswich. The cargo on the train consisted of 44 wagons containing a total weight of 400 tons of bombs and a further 7 wagons containing other components e.g. tail fins. On board the engine were 41-year-old driver Benjamin Gimbert and 22-year-old fireman James Nightall. The train guard was Herbert Clarke. About 90 minutes later the train was approaching Soham Station when the driver looked back to see flames coming from the leading wagon which contsained about 10 tons of bombs. Gimbert brought the train to a stop and, rather than running for safety, instructed Nightall to uncouple the first wagon from the rest of the train. Nightall managed this quickly although the fire was now quite serious. Gimbert started to draw the wagon away and had moved it about 140 yards and was still alongside the platforms at Soham Station when the bombs went off. A much more severe explosion was averted by the men's actions. The resulting blast killed Nightall immediately and signalman Frank Bridges, who was on the opposite platform, died the next day. Gimbert though badly injured survived. Guard Clarke although stunned by the blast and suffering from shock managed to walk to the next signal box to warn the signalman there what had happened. Apart from these four men, five others suffered severe injuries and another 22 minor injuries. The explosion created a crater 66 feet in diameter and 15 feet deep. The station buildings were almost demolished and there was damage severe or moderate to over 700 properties within 900 yards. Despite the severity of the explosion, emergency repairs meant that the line was open to freight traffic within eighteen hours and passenger traffic resumed the next day. The cause of the fire was never fully explained. The wagon had previously been used to carry a load of bulk sulphur powder and although it would have been cleaned in between loads, the possibility remained that some of the powder remained. Although the wagon was sheeted, the theory advanced was that a cinder from the engine had landed in the wagon and had ignited some sulphur which in turn set alight the wooden body of the wagon. Although this was still a sizeable explosion the effect and damage was little compared to what would have happened if the entire train load of bombs had exploded. The conduct of the driver and fireman in attempting, and succeeding, in reducing the result of the incident was recognised by the award in July 1944 of the George Cross to both men. Here we can see the remains of the locomotive being recovered. Note the damage to the signalbox.
  • SOUTHERN RAILWAY - I think this may be the aftermath of South Croydon rail crash of 24/10/47 although I'm not certain at all. It looks like a 4-Sub EMU and I think 'SOUTHERN' is just visible on the coach in the background - as the 4-Sub's were built from 1941 and the SR ceased to exist in 1948, this rather narrows it down.
  • SOUTH LYNN - Whilst shunting 43142 onto the turntable at South Lynn, this is what occurred: the loco had no steam up and therefore it's brakes were not working. When it was shoved onto the turntable, someone should have used the tender handbrake to stop it. Obviously, this did not happen!
  • SPIJKENISSE, Netherlands - (1) On November 2nd, 2020, whilst being shunted into the stock sidings near the station, this tram ran through the buffers and landed on a 25-foot high sculpture of a massive whale's tail in the adjacent park.<br /> Fortunately, the car was empty of passengers at the time, and while the driver was taken to hospital and checked out, he was, according to press reports, more bewildered and confused than anything else, and was released the same day.<br /> The tram was a write off, with most of it's undercarriage ripped away and the chassis bent. Recovery was not a simple task as the sculptures sit in water and a crane could not be placed beneath the tram to lift it down.<br /> Due to it's precarious position, two large cranes were brought in on November 3rd and in a day-long operation, the leading carriage was removed and lifted down. The rear carriage was recovered from the sidings.
  • SPIJKENISSE, Netherlands - (2) On November 2nd, 2020, whilst being shunted into the stock sidings near the station, this tram ran through the buffers and landed on a 25-foot high sculpture of a massive whale's tail in the adjacent park.<br /> Fortunately, the car was empty of passengers at the time, and while the driver was taken to hospital and checked out, he was, according to press reports, more bewildered and confused than anything else, and was released the same day.<br /> The tram was a write off, with most of it's undercarriage ripped away and the chassis bent. Recovery was not a simple task as the sculptures sit in water and a crane could not be placed beneath the tram to lift it down.<br /> Due to it's precarious position, two large cranes were brought in on November 3rd and in a day-long operation, the leading carriage was removed and lifted down. The rear carriage was recovered from the sidings.
  • SPIJKENISSE, Netherlands - (3) On November 2nd, 2020, whilst being shunted into the stock sidings near the station, this tram ran through the buffers and landed on a 25-foot high sculpture of a massive whale's tail in the adjacent park.<br /> Fortunately, the car was empty of passengers at the time, and while the driver was taken to hospital and checked out, he was, according to press reports, more bewildered and confused than anything else, and was released the same day.<br /> The tram was a write off, with most of it's undercarriage ripped away and the chassis bent. Recovery was not a simple task as the sculptures sit in water and a crane could not be placed beneath the tram to lift it down.<br /> Due to it's precarious position, two large cranes were brought in on November 3rd and in a day-long operation, the leading carriage was removed and lifted down. The rear carriage was recovered from the sidings.
  • SPIJKENISSE, Netherlands - (4) On November 2nd, 2020, whilst being shunted into the stock sidings near the station, this tram ran through the buffers and landed on a 25-foot high sculpture of a massive whale's tail in the adjacent park.<br /> Fortunately, the car was empty of passengers at the time, and while the driver was taken to hospital and checked out, he was, according to press reports, more bewildered and confused than anything else, and was released the same day.<br /> The tram was a write off, with most of it's undercarriage ripped away and the chassis bent. Recovery was not a simple task as the sculptures sit in water and a crane could not be placed beneath the tram to lift it down.<br /> Due to it's precarious position, two large cranes were brought in on November 3rd and in a day-long operation, the leading carriage was removed and lifted down. The rear carriage was recovered from the sidings.
  • STAIRFOOT - November 21st, 1911 - no details known.
  • STAIRFOOT - November 21st, 1911 - no details known.
  • STAIRFOOT - November 21st, 1911 - no details known.
  • STOKE-ON-TRENT - 25 058 - BR C;lass 25 Type 2 Bo-Bo DE - built 06/63 by Derby Works as D5208 - 1973 to 25 058 - withdrawn 02/87 from Crewe Diesel Depot - seen here hanging over Station Street, Stoke-on-Trent, after running through the buffer stops with 25 213, 22/10/85.
  • STOKE-ON-TRENT - 25 058 - BR Class 25 Type 2 Bo-Bo DE - built 06/63 by Derby Works as D5208 - 1973 to 25 058 - withdrawn 02/87 from Crewe Diesel Depot - seen here being recovered from Station Street, Stoke-on-Trent, after running through the buffer stops with 25 213, 22/10/85.
  • STONEHAVEN - (1) During the night of August 11th there were severe thunderstorms in the Aberdeen area. The storms caused widespread flooding across Aberdeenshire on the morning of August 12th. The severe weather had caused significant disruption across East Scotland with a number of rail services being either curtailed or cancelled.<br /> On August 12th, 2020, ScotRail's 0638 Inter7City service from Aberdeen to Glasgow Queen Street, fprmed of Class 43's No.s 43140/43030 and 4 coaches, had fewer passengers than usual due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It had two crew members (the driver and a conductor) and was carrying seven passengers.<br /> Whilst travelling south on the double track main line which runs between Aberdeen and Dundee, the driver stopped the train after the signalman at Carmont Signal Box passed on a message from the driver of another train that a landslip had blocked the line between Carmont and Laurencekirk. Unable to proceed south, the train was rerouted to return to Aberdeen, crossing to the northbound line at the Carmont crossover about 5 1⁄2 miles west of Stonehaven. About 1.4 miles after the crossover, at about 0920, the train ran into another landslip and all vehicles were derailed. As the track curved to the right, the train continued straight on for about 100 yards and struck and damaged the parapet of a bridge carrying the railway over Carron Water. The leading power car (43140) then fell down a wooded embankment and came to rest in a stand of scrubby bushes in a very mangled state. The first carriage turned sideways, coming to rest across the tracks, inverted, with the second carriage, also inverted, lying on top of it. The third carriage ended up lying on its side, also down the embankment, and caught fire. The rear power car (43030) remained upright and coupled to the fourth carriage. The driver and the conductor, and a passenger were killed. One of the passengers, an off-duty railway employee, although injured, walked back to Carmont Signal Box and warned the signalman of the accident.<br /> British Transport Police were alerted to the incident at about 0943, and a major incident was declared. Scottish Ambulance Service ambulances, two air ambulance helicopters and a coastguard helicopter attended the remote and difficult to access scene. Scottish Fire and Rescue Service sent 12 fire engines and specialist resources. Six people were taken to hospital with injuries that were "not believed to be serious" and five of the six injured passengers had been discharged from hospital by August 17th.<br /> First pictures from the scene showed only the burning train in the distance, as here.
  • STONEHAVEN - (2) During the night of August 11th there were severe thunderstorms in the Aberdeen area. The storms caused widespread flooding across Aberdeenshire on the morning of August 12th. The severe weather had caused significant disruption across East Scotland with a number of rail services being either curtailed or cancelled.<br /> On August 12th, 2020, ScotRail's 0638 Inter7City service from Aberdeen to Glasgow Queen Street, fprmed of Class 43's No.s 43140/43030 and 4 coaches, had fewer passengers than usual due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It had two crew members (the driver and a conductor) and was carrying seven passengers.<br /> Whilst travelling south on the double track main line which runs between Aberdeen to Dundee, the driver stopped the train after the signalman at Carmont Signal Box passed on a message from the driver of another train that a landslip had blocked the line between Carmont and Laurencekirk. Unable to proceed south, the train was rerouted to return to Aberdeen, crossing to the northbound line at the Carmont crossover about 5 1⁄2 miles west of Stonehaven. About 1.4 miles after the crossover, at about 0920, the train ran into another landslip and all vehicles were derailed. As the track curved to the right, the train continued straight on for about 100 yards and struck and damaged the parapet of a bridge carrying the railway over Carron Water. The leading power car (43140) then fell down a wooded embankment and came to rest in a stand of scrubby bushes in a very mangled state. The first carriage turned sideways, coming to rest across the tracks, inverted, with the second carriage, also inverted, lying on top of it. The third carriage ended up lying on its side, also down the embankment, and caught fire. The rear power car (43030) remained upright and coupled to the fourth carriage. The driver and the conductor, and a passenger were killed. One of the passengers, an off-duty railway employee, although injured, walked back to Carmont Signal Box and warned the signalman of the accident.<br /> British Transport Police were alerted to the incident at about 0943, and a major incident was declared. Scottish Ambulance Service ambulances, two air ambulance helicopters and a coastguard helicopter attended the remote and difficult to access scene. Scottish Fire and Rescue Service sent 12 fire engines and specialist resources. Six people were taken to hospital with injuries that were "not believed to be serious" and five of the six injured passengers had been discharged from hospital by August 17th.<br /> In this view, Coach 1 lies across the tracks with Coach 2 lying on top of it. Coach 3, burnt out, lies down the embankment. Coach 4, pretty much upright, lies across Coach 1 with 43030 standing behind it. 43140, the leading power car, lies in the trees to the right of the track.
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