95210 (ex DS1561) from Stewart's Lane ready to assist with coal train re-railing at Hither Green, 16.12.87

During the early hours of 16th December 1987 a signal man at London Bridge PSB noticed that the track circuit covering the exit from Hither Green Up Yard onto the Up Fast Line was showing “occupied” so staff were sent to investigate. What they found was that a train of 30 loaded MGR coal hoppers stabled on the Up Reception Line the previous day had run away and derailed at the yard exit, with wagons and coal fouling the Up Fast Line.

The train appeared to have been left without any handbrakes having been applied and once residual air in the brake system had leaked off the train it set off downhill with the inevitable consequence. Very fortunately, due to the time of day, there were no trains passing on the Fast Lines at the time, otherwise the consequences could have been disastrous. After a somewhat disrupted morning peak period, a clear up operation utilizing the East Wimbledon and Stewart's Lane breakdown cranes commenced.

Photo and Text © David Morgan