To look at one of Essex’s busiest train stations now, it would not be clear that it was the site of a horrific accident that took place in 1913. Over 110 years ago, one signalman’s error had costly repercussions.
An express train travelling to Cromer collided with a light engine on July 12 1913, after a signalman made an error. At around 3pm, the express train was travelling at high speed, derailing part of the train, and causing the tragedy which had deathly consequences.
Three people were sadly killed in the accident, and many passengers were injured. The express train was supposed to be told to wait, as the slower light railway was in the path of the high speed train, but a costly signal mistake led the train to move through a junction.
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By then, the collision was unavoidable and led to absolute destruction. The train driver, a guard, and a fireman were all killed instantly in the collision. The tragic accident also injured 14 passengers, as the train derailed.
In the same month, MPs even discussed a full inquiry into the tragedy before it was found to have been an accident. Colchester train station, over 110 years on remains as a busy hub with little sign of the accident ever having happened.