Lewisham Train Crash 65 Years Later

After the Harrow and Wealdstone crash of 1952 it was thought British Rail had learned it's lesson on the importance of AWS... 5 years later though that would sadly not be the case a combination of factors including no AWS would clash to cause this terrible disaster. Was this a repeat in history? Or something bigger?

It's about time I make an international documentary namely a British one. This one was highly requested and while I could of remastered the RUBBISH Clapham junction video I wanted something fresh and never done before so here you go!

Newsreel Footage

Music
Intro: For Investigation - RealTunesStudio

Track 1: Tension is Rising - TimBeekMusic

Track 2: Sad Angelic Choir - Allen Grey

Track 3: Haunted Soul - Richard Zelada

Outro: Blinking Star - Stellardrone

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This video was expensive to produce! Donations help to pay off footage licenses, keeps the lights on, etc.

Patron:

[JTA]

How could this happen ?? I haven't the "foggiest"

[hairybear]

That night a close friend died in that train crash. Later I attended his funeral, the first time death had crossed my path. Cliff was an up and coming architect, working on what was then the Festival of Britain complex. His death was painful for me to incomparable to that suffered by his father and mother. Cliff was their only child.
Always Cliff.

[phaasch]

I've passed through on this line, to and from London countless times, and never cease to be amazed that the emergency replacement bridge, put up in just a few days by the Royal Engineers, is still there and doing service 65 years on, having carried God knows how many thousands of trains since. The picture of the crushed carriage underneath the bridge is particularly chilling.
Superb account.

[mrb.]

Worth pointing out that London still burned a lot of coal in 1957 - the fog would have been thick and heavy - they weren't called 'pea soupers' for nothing.

[SELondonUSA]

Horrible accident. So many lives lost and severe injuries to many others. Excellent video and narrative.
I was 6 when this happened and remember it well. My mother was worried when my father did not come home to Catford at the usual time. We did not have a telephone. He arrived several hours later. He had walked home for miles like infantryman he was during WW2.

[muddymrt]

A very well put together video...I lost an Aunt in the accident and I was never told the details of what happened. it was interesting to see the events that lead up to the event. Thank you.

[secretsquirrelnutkin]

My mum should have been on this train but decided to wait for the next one, as it was too crowded. That decision very possibly saved her life.

[DCProductions]

The 'Battle of Britain' and 'West Country' classes were actually the same class, with the different names only being used for marketing purposes by the Southern (as far as I know). Examples of each naming convention include 34053 'Sir Keith Park' and 34105 'Swanage'.

110 of them were built, with around 20 surviving into preservation, and collectively they are known as Bulleid 'Light Pacifics' because they were a slightly smaller version of the Merchant Navy class.

[N.Y.CHudson]

I love how you organize these parts and give so many factor details. Keep up the good work.

[pavelslama]

The British definition of "temporary trestle" is "a trestle that was built to stand as long as it can".

[matthewpowell]

Amazing job. Your documentaries on wrecks are the best I've ever seen. Looking forward to the next one as always!

[neiloflongbeck]

It was the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation and not the Ministry of Transport and Civilisation.

[gregsmith]

Great video! You have a real talent for making these things! Your voice is perfect -- clear and easy to understand and with the right amount of emotion to give your credibility. Plus, your editing of the story and video it excellent! Keep it up!

[griffinrails]

Much better job than the old one I made a few years back. Great work as always!

[statuescher]

My mum, uncle and grandmother lived nearby in Tresillian Road at the time of the crash. My uncle rode with some ambulances, that had come from outside the area, to help direct them to the hospital in the fog. He said that some Teddy boys helped get people out, climbing over the wreckage and tearing their expensive drape jackets in the process (they were seen as rough types so their brave assistance was perceived as out of character). A major incident at the time but long forgotten by now I think.

[albertplumb]

I was ten at this time and lived at Blackheath opposite the then Shunting yard. So all of the rescue equipment came through there. I also recall the swimming baths at Ladywell(?) were used as a morgue for families to try to recognise missing family members. I have never forgotten that crash.

[CardScientist]

I had a dvd that had old news reels of rail disasters. The news reel for this wreck described it as "Scenes reminiscent of the bomb blitz of London..." Really gives a chilling insight into how the severe the wreck was and what it must have been like to witness it in that fog

[HeavyRescue]

Great job as always. I really enjoy these documentaries.

[calebtrains]

@Thunderbolt 1000 Siren Productions Great Video, And You Mentioned About A Previous Lewisham Train Crash From 1857, Will You Do A Documentary On That One In The Future?

[amandajane]

Wow I lived in Lewisham for many years but had never heard about this crash that occurred before my birth. Appreciate your well presented video.