1898 St Johns rail accident

To allow for mechanical breakdowns, the signalman had a special key to override the interlocking and as some of the treadles in the St Johns area were not completely reliable it had become necessary to occasionally use this facility.

He was assisted by a signal lad, Stephen Clews, whose job it was to record both the actions of the signalman and the passing trains in the register book.

The Tonbridge train was pushed forward approximately 30 yards (25 metres) and the rear two vehicles, a third-class carriage and a brake van, were telescoped.

The Enquiry heard detailed evidence from all of the railway staff involved, including the guard, Walter Stevens, who was traveling in the brake van at the rear of the Tonbridge train: "...

I had my hand on the handle of the door and I sprang out at once, the collision happening as I did so.”It became clear at the enquiry that Honey was challenged twice about the locations of the trains.

The Station Master at St Johns had been awaiting the arrival of the Tonbridge train and although he could not see because of the fog, he could hear the safety valves of a steam engine blowing off.