Kirtlebridge rail crash
Kirtlebridge station was nearly 17 miles (27 km) north of Carlisle, on the Caledonian Railway main line to Glasgow and Edinburgh.
The work was under the control of the Station Master, and he authorised the operation of a crossover that gave the goods train access to cross the main line.
[2][3] The goods train had left Carlisle at 06:55 and made calls at Floriston, Gretna and Kirkpatrick stations, arriving at Kirtlebridge at 07:55.
[note 3] It made its journey in the ordinary way and passed Kirtlebridge distant signal at "clear" but on rounding the right-hand curve past an overbridge, the fireman of the leading engine saw the wagons of the goods train partly obstructing the line ahead.
The station master, named Corrie, was nominally responsible for the shunting arrangements, but he seems to have limited this to directing what wagons were to be taken on rather than working with the signalman.
Tyler commented: During these shunting operations, the goods-engine driver took his instructions from the goods guard, but the latter was acting principally on his own responsibility.
The only communication, according to the guard, that passed between him and any person at the station was shortly after his arrival, when the station-master asked him what he was shunting for, and he replied, "The 6.00 a.m. passenger train from Carlisle".
[1]The signalman on duty in the cabin at the north of the station saw the goods train arrive at 7.55, and immediately set his home and distant-signals to danger to protect it.
[1]In 1872 modern notions of a safe system of work did not exist, and the management of the Caledonian Railway evidently thought it adequate to rely on the common sense of the local staff.
The station master set about ordering shunting movements fouling the main lines without any liaison with the signalman, and it is clear that this had become a routine method of working, relying on assumptions about the running of other trains.
The inspector of permanent way, Gilmour, was then sought by the police on a charge of murder allegedly committed at Shotts the day before the accident.
The Times newspaper also demanded the introduction of improved couplings and buffing gear between the coaches so as to reduce the risk of telescoping.
