DMU Accident

Gospel Oak - 21st April 1987

Class 104 DMBS 53453 seen after it was involved in a collision with 31 281 at Gospel Oak on April 21, 1987. Andy Holton.

31 281 collided with Class 104 53453 in Gospel Oak station.

Peter Boor explains: "I was the driver on the loco based at Stratford, which had a green signal with an M indication for Main, when I came around the bend the next signal was green also, the loco took the points which had not been reversed and because the DMU was stopped short of the buffer stops I could not stop in time. The loco was tested back at Stratford and the brake found to be less than it should have been. Also, when the original signal box was burnt down by vandals and the signalman died, track circuiting had not been replaced between the bay platform and the crossover towards South Tottenham due to cost cutting."

Peter also notes "I found out afterwards that this had happened to other drivers from Ripple Lane and Stratford, a couple of Southern driver's and even a Bristol driver, they got in touch and told me they'd had the same, luckily none of them had a train in the bay, trouble was they hadn't reported it. There were two elderly passengers on board the unit, the man had a cut nose, but his wife was ok. At the enquiry at Watford the signalman said it was his first week out on his own. I have the dented warning horn as a memento."

Andy Holton.

Andy Holton.

After the incident M53453 was moved to Old Old Common where it is seen circa late 1987. Peter Boor.