At that time the main line was a single track, with a crossing loop and a down refuge siding at Exeter.

The driver of the mail train was brought before the Goulburn Circuit Court charged with manslaughter.

At that trial, the night officer at Exeter gave evidence to the effect that the down distant signal was in fact at danger at the time the mail train passed.

However, the goods train driver gave conflicting evidence, stating that on the night of the accident the denseness of the fog made it difficult to see the signals.

The remaining three reportedly died in a temporary hospital that had been set up in a sleeping carriage.