St James Train Station Troop-Train Wreck 1916?

[alcavtay]

Can anyone point me in the direction of the truth behind the 'troop train crash at St James Station' story? I've had a search online and have found a crash there in 1915 (not a troop train) and various references to the station being closed because of a troop train disaster in 1916 but none with a date or any references for further research.

Thanks
Amanda

[MaryA]

There is an article dated 22 May, 1915, in a newspaper, I will email you a copy if you think this is what you want. The headings include 50 soldiers found among the victims.

Sorry forget the above, once I read it properly I have discovered it to be Carlisle.

[Bertieone]

I would have thought this site would have it covered, but no luck, they have a 1913 accident at St James,

http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/eventl ... &submit=Go

The was a major accident involving troops 22 May 1915 in Gretna, Scotland.

[alcavtay]

There is an article dated 22 May, 1915, in a newspaper, I will email you a copy if you think this is what you want. The headings include 50 soldiers found among the victims.

Hi Mary, thanks for the offer, I'd like to see it please but I'd assume from the date that the article is referring to the Quintinshill disaster near Gretna Green where the 7th Bn of the Royal Scots were reduced to 58 men unscathed from 500 in a terrible train wreck.

Amanda

[MaryA]

Sorry have just read it through and the reference is at the very bottom of the article, where railway disasters were listed up to 1910 and then. "In addition to the foregoing, the best known disasters of recent years were those at ...... and St James's Station (Liverpool)."

No more information than that, I'll try another search.

[alcavtay]

Thanks Mary and Bertieone

I've found reports of the St James 1913 accident in The Times, there are no soldiers listed as casualties.

I'm wondering whether this story is an urban legend - a mix of the October 1913 crash at St James and the Gretna disaster making up a reason for the station closure?

[MaryA]

I wonder if this gives another clue to search for. An entry in the Liverpool Echo on 17 March, 1917, about the nomination of the new Coroner, Mr A Inglis who "has held enquiries into, amongst others, .... the Railway smash at St. James Station of the Cheshire Lines Committee ....." not even a date for the event.

[Bertieone]

No mention of it here http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/l/li ... _st_james/

and yet 1913 crash is covered.

The Quininshill, Gretna, Troop train was heading for Liverpool.