Hither Green - 1967
Summary
Host Dan Fox examines the 1967 Hither Green rail disaster, where a derailment killed 49 people. The episode details the accident’s sequence, including the train overturning after hitting a switch diamond, and analyzes potential causes like driver error and obstructions. Ultimately, the investigation revealed that a fatigue crack in a rail joint, exacerbated by track maintenance issues, caused the rail to fracture under the train.
Topics discussed
Introduction, disclaimer, and podcast overview
Context: Recent derailments and introduction to Hither Green
The journey: Train composition, route, and driver details
The accident: Derailment sequence and train dynamics
Aftermath: Damage assessment and casualty count
Investigation: Why trains derail and track geometry
Investigation: Suspension systems and mechanical defects
Investigation: Obstructions and discovery of the rail gap
Cause: Fatigue fracture in jointed rail and metallurgy
Legacy: Speed restrictions and shift to continuously welded rail
Conclusion: Reflections on the victims and final thoughts
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