Warrington rail crash

As the new tracks ran to the north of the original Chester to Birkenhead mainline on which the accident happened, the old Walton Junction ceased to have through trains and became part of a branch to a marshalling yard.

The 10:23 Liverpool Lime Street to London Euston service, which was running 10 minutes late, left Warrington Bank Quay station at 11:35 for Crewe.

However, the points were not switched back to the Crewe line, causing the London-bound passenger service to plough into the rear of the coal train.

The coroner gave the following verdict: "We are unanimously of opinion that the deceased came to their deaths by neglect of duty on the part of John Rowson, pointsman, and at the same time we wish to recommend to the railway company the adoption of a new system of signalling and points at Walton Junction."

The Board of Trade enquiry recommended that the British railway network should adopt a system whereby points were interlocked with signals.