THE BRIGHTON BRANCH OF A.S.L.E.F.

A collision which took place at 8.31 p.m. on Monday 22nd October, outside London Bridge Station (Central Section) in the 

Southern Region, British Railways. Owing to the failure of a track circuit it became necessary to hand signal a train from No. 20 

platform past the starting signal at danger. This was the 8.15 p.m. electric train from London Bridge to London Bridge (via 

Tulse Hill, Crystal Palace and Forest Hill), but a verbal message from the signalman was wrongly transmitted and authority was 

given for the 8.24 p.m. electric train from London Bridge to Horsham to leave No. 19 platform.

The Horsham train ran for 525 yards at slow speed on to the Up Local line, where it collided almost head-on with the incoming 

7.37 p.m. electric passenger train London Bridge to London Bridge (via Streatham, Selhurst and Norwood Junction) as it was 

passing through a crossover from the Up Local line to the Up Through. Both the motormen made emergency brake applications, 

and at the moment of the collision the Horsham train had practically stopped and the incoming train was only travelling at about 

15 m.p.h.

There were about 90 passengers in the two trains, and 15 of them were slightly injured or suffered from shock; the four 

members of the train crews were also slightly injured. Calls for ambulances were sent out at 8.40 p.m. and the first arrived in six 

minutes. Eight of the injured passengers and the four railway servants were taken to Guy's Hospital for treatment but no one was 

detained.

Both the trains were close coupled 4-car suburban sets with ordinary side buffers and screw couplings at their ends, and the 

Westinghouse air brake was in operation on all the wheels. The two leading coaches met near side buffer to near side buffer. The 

leading headstocks were bent and the end peels were crushed but there was not a great deal of internal damage to the 

motormen's compartments. Damage to the remaining six coaches was slight.

The Up Local line circuit breaker at South Bermondsey sub-station opened immediately and it was closed at once in accordance 

with standing instructions. It tripped again, but after re-setting a minute later it remained in. There was no arcing at the scene of 

the accident and it was decided to leave on the power so that the carriages would remain lighted until arrangements were made 

to detrain the passengers. The power on the Up Local and Through lines was eventually cut off at 8.56 pm., and the passengers 

were then detrained by emergency ladders and conducted to the station.

The two trains, although buffer locked, were not derailed; they were removed during the night. and normal working was 

resumed on the Up Local and Through lines at 3.30 a.m. Meanwhile there was considerable dislocation of traffic.

The night was fine and the rails were dry

DESCRIPTION

1. London Bridge station is divided into four groups of platforms, of which the following two are relevant:

(a) the Central Section Main Line group, Nos: 12- 17 platforms, served by the Central Section Through, Local and South 

London lines.

(b) the South London group. Nos: 18 - 22 platforms, primarily served by the South London lines and with access to and from 

the Through and Local lines.

The six running lines serving these platforms are shown on the accompanying diagram, and they are named from North to 

South: -

Down Local. Down Through,

Up Through, Up Local.

Down South London, Up South London.

Approaching the station from the East the lines are practically level and straight. They curve to the left at the entrance to the 

station and then fan out through the controlling "sections" A-F to the South London and Central Section Main line platforms.

The other 11 platforms at London Bridge are in the Low Level and the Eastern Section groups.

Signalling.

2. Multi-aspect colour light signals with continuous track circuiting are installed throughout the London Bridge area, and there 

are a number of 3-aspect automatic signals between here and Bricklayers Arms Junction. The relevant signals, track circuits, 

points, etc., are shown on the plan.

There are three groups of incoming running signals mounted on gantries. The outer home signals apply only to the Up Through 

and Eastern Section lines and they are not relevant to this case, but the gantry which is about 900 yards from the signal box also 

carries the Up Local automatic signal A.1.The intermediate homes are about 540 yards from the box and have route indicators 

of the "theatre" type which display the letter of the "section" to which the train is being routed. The inner home signals are 

located where the lines fan out to the platforms and have indicators which display the platform numbers.

lThe starting signals are mounted on posts at the ends of the platforms. Similar colour light signals .

known as platform intermediate signals are located about half way along the platforms. Provided that the line is clear between 

the two platform signals, the intermediate signal together with its route indicator repeats automatically the aspect displayed in 

the starting signal, or in the shunt signal on the starting signal post; the intermediate signals are held at danger if the platform 

line ahead of them is occupied. The South London group of starting signals lead directly to the Down South London line 

automatic signal A.2. on the intermediate home gantry or to the Down Local and Through first advanced starting signals on a 

gantry about 250 yards from the signal box. Two-aspect shunting or subsidiary signals

showing red or green lights are provided either on a gantry or a signal post, or on the ground, e.g. No. 49.

3. All movements are controlled from one large power signal box just to the north of the Central Section group of platforms. 

This box contains 274 mechanically interlocked miniature working levers with 31 spares and 6 spaces. There are no unusual 

features about the interlocking and the controls; the running signals require the shunt signals ahead to be off in addition to the 

route being correctly set up and the appropriate track circuits being clear. The platform starters are approach locked by the 

platform track circuits and are back locked where necessary by the track circuits immediately ahead of them.

4. At the time of the accident the box was manned by five signalmen; one was in charge of the South London traffic, two were 

working the Central Section Main Line and Low Level platforms, and two were in charge of the Eastern Section. The Yard 

Inspector, who was normally in general charge, had gone to the Station Master's office to report on the day's working.

5,. There is a comprehensive telephone system for communication between the signal box and the various offices, platforms, 

line side signal telephones, etc. The link between the box and the South London section of the station is an omnibus circuit to 

telephones on the platforms.

Table of Distances.

6. Relevant distances from the point of collision are: -

The front end of the Horsham train in No. 19 platform 525 yards West

No. 19 platform intermediate signal No. 21 platform 504 yards west

No. 19 platform intermediate signal No.21 392 yards west

Centre of signal box 356 yards west

Shunt signal No. 49 162 yards west

station end of No. 51 crossover 118 yards west

POINT OF COLLISION.

Country end of No. 166 crossover 13 yards east

 Up Local Intermediate Home Signal No. 183 181 yards east 

Country end of track circuit No. 122 353 yards east

Up Local automatic signal A.1. on the Outer Home gantry 556 yards east

Rules and Regulations.

7. Extracts from the various Rules and Regulations covering the action to be taken on the failure of a track circuit controlling a 

signal and on the passing of messages between signalmen and handsignal- men are given in the Appendix. These lay down that 

a hand signalman must be appointed when a signal controlling the section ahead is locked at danger by the disconnection of a 

track circuit, and that he must stand near the signal and warn drivers to proceed cautiously through the section. Before giving 

this signal he must satisfy himself that any facing points are secured in their proper position, that trailing points are also lying 

correctly, and that the signalman is so informed. Verbal messages from the signal- man to the handsignalman must be carefully 

given, and the signalman must make sure beyond doubt that they are fully understood by the handsignalman.

At London Bridge there are special instructions to cover the case where the front of a long train is on the track' circuit in 

advance of the platform starting signal, thus locking it at danger. In these circumstances the driver must not start until he 

receives verbal instructions from the person in charge of the platform, who must personally obtain the signalman's permission. 

A hand signalman need not be appointed in these circumstances, nor is it necessary for facing points to be secured, but the 

signalman before giving permission must satisfy himself that the line is clear and that the relevant point and signal levers have 

been correctly operated.

before the accident:-

No. 18 platform 8.18 p m  2-car train London Bridge Victoria.

No. 19 platform 8.24 p m 4-car train London Bridge--Horsham.

No. 20 platform front section: 8.15 p m . 4-car London Bridge-London Bridge (via Tulse HiU, Crystal Palace and Forest Hill).

No. 20 platform rear section: 8.45p.m. 4-car train London BridgeLondon Bridge (via Tulse Hill, Crystal Palace and Forest Hill).

No. 21 platform 8.20pm. 8-car train of empties London Bridge--New Cross Gate

No. 22 platform 8.37 p m . 4-car train London Bridge- London Bridge (via Streatham, Selhurst and Norwood Junction).

9. At 8.14 1/2 p.m. Signalman G. W. Maynard, London Bridge signal box, saw from the platform indicator that the 8.15 pm. 

train was ready to leave from No. 20 platform. He accordingly set the route by reversing No. 35 trailing points and clearing No. 

49 shunt signal. He followed this by pulling No. 17 starting signal lever and he thought that the aspect of the repeater turned to 

green, but half a minute later he noticed that it had returned to red with No. 140 track circuit showing occupied and No. 136 still 

clear. Maynard realised that No. 140 track circuit had failed and he asked Lineman R. R. Ashton to examine it. He followed this 

by speaking on the omni- bus telephone to a member of the station staff on No. 20121 platform. He told the man who answered 

him that there would he some delay owing to this failure, and that he would give further instructions later.

With the failure of No. 140 track circuit, the lever of No. 17 starting signal was hack locked, and this held No. 49 shunt signal 

lever locked in the off position. These signals in turn locked Nos. 36, 48, and51 crossovers in the normal position and 

consequently the route to the South London line could not be set for the trains in Nos. 18 and 19 platforms, and the starting 

signals from Nos. 21 and 22 platforms were also locked.

10. At 8.25 pm. the tineman reported that there was nothing on the line and trains could pass over the length covered by the 

defective track circuit. Maynard again rang up the man on No. 20/21 platform and told him to hand signal the train from No. 20 

platform to the Down South London line. Leading Porter Miller, who had also received the earlier message, misunderstood the 

signalman and was convinced that the 8.24 pm. train to Horsham was to be sent first. Since he was not trained as a hand 

signalman he passed the message to Station Foreman W. E. J. Mark, who was in a hut near the entrance to No. 18 platform. 

Mark, without checking the message nor securing the facing points in accordance with the rules, immediatelyauthorised the 

guard and driver of the Horsham train in No. 19 platform to pass the platform starting and intermediate signals at danger and 

proceed on to the Down South London line at caution under the authority of a yellow hand signal which Mark exhibited beside 

the platform intermediate signal.

11. Dual Driver L. W. Penfold, who was in charge of the Horsham train, departed at slow speed. but instead of leaving by the 

usual route through section "B" the train went out via section "C". Penfold realised that something was wrong when he saw the 

green aspect of No. 49 shunt signal on the right instead of the left hand side, and a few seconds later he made an emergency 

brake application on seeing the approaching Up train. The outgoing train was brought practically to a stand. but by this time it 

was foul of No. 166 crossover.

12. The incoming 7.37 pm. train London Bridge to London Bridge. which had a clear run from New Cross Gatc, was due in No. 

13 platform at 8.31 pm. and its route from the Up Local line was through Nos. 166 and 165 crossovers to section " E and thence 

lo the platform. Approaching London Bridge at a speed of about 40 m.p.h. Motorman F. E. Brown saw automatic signal A.l 

displaying a yellow aspect and he immedialely reduced the speed. The intemediate home No. 183 was at red, butas soon as the 

train occupied No. 122 track circuit, the end of which was 172 yards from the signal, the aspect changed to green with the letter 

"E" displayed in the route indicator. Brown passed this signal at about 20 m.p.h. and further reduced the speed for No. 166 

crossover. Just as he reached this point he saw the approaching Down train and realised there would be a collision. He made an 

emergency brake application, hut this had hardly time to take effect beforc his train collided with the other at a speed of about 

15 m.p.h.

13. Examination of the track after the accident showed that No. 41 points leading to No. 18 platform had been trailed through. 

There was no other damage and no signs of arcing or burns on the rails at the point of collision. The fault in the track circuit was 

traced to a broken connection in the wire leading from the rail to the signal box. It occurred in a length of concrete troughing 

where rats had gnawed away the insulation so that the exposed wire was corroded. This trouble occurs occasionally and 

although circuits are tested every six months faults of this kind do not usually come to notice until a break actually occurs. 

Records show that failures of track circuits from all causes at London Bridge have not been excessive considering the size of the 

installation.

EVIDENCE

14. Signalman G. W. Maynard explained that after advising Lineman Ashton about the track circuit failure he spoke to the staff 

on No. 20/21 platform by ringing the code 1-4 on No. 13 omnibus telephone circuit. H e did not ask the name of the man who 

answered.him but his voice was familiar and he assumed that he was one of the station staff. H e told him "I have a track failure 

and I want you to stand by. I may have to hand signal the CrystalPalace". Maynard explained that b y this he meant the 8.15p m 

London Bridge to London Bridge train which was standing in No. 20 platform.

About ten minutes later Maynard shouted from the window of the signal cabin to the lineman who was still examining the track 

circuit and asked him "How is it looking down there?" The reply was "All right" so Maynard commented "I shall have to hand 

signal that one over the track", to which Ashton replied "Perhaps you had better". Maynard again rang the 1-4 code on the 

omnibus telephone, and on hearing the same man reply he told him "I want you to hand signal the Crystal Palace from No. 20 

platform, one yellow 20 to Down South London, due to track failure". The voice replied "All right". Mayuardadmitted that he 

did not find out to whom he was speaking, nor did he ask for his message to be repeated. He knew that Rule 78(b) required that 

a hand signalman should secure the points and advise the signalman accordingly before allowing a train to leave, but Maynard 

explained that there were special instructions at London Bridge which permitted long trains to be started against fixed signals by 

hand signal only and he said that the same rule had been applied for starting trains against signals when there had been track 

circuit failures on other occasions.

At about 8.30 pm. Maynard saw from his diagram that the 8.24 pm. train was leaving from No. 19 platform. He realised at once 

that it would run on to the Up Local line. so he tried to attract the guard's attention and shouted to one of the other signalmen to 

exhibit a red light. He then gave the "Train running away wrong line" signal (2-5-5,) to Bricklayers Arms Junction followed by 

"Obstruction Danger".

15. Signalman A. V. W. Beach, who was in charge of the Central Section Main Line group and was working near the omnibus 

telephone said that he heard Maynard speaking on this telephone to somebody, and although he did not pick up the whole of the 

conversation he thought Maynard said "All right, come off No. 20 one yellow”. Beach confirmed that Maynard gave the 2-5-5 

signal to Bricklayers Arms Junction and that "Obstruction Danger" was sent at 8.31 p m .

16. Signalman W. E. Cooper, who was in charge of the Eastern Section group at the country end of the box said that he 

overheard Signalman Maynard telling the lineman about, the track circuit failure. and later he heard him talking to someone 

else. He could not remember the exact words, but he thought Maynard said "That train on 20 all right to go. One yellow off 20".

17. During the temporary absence of Station Foreman Mark. Leading Porter Miller was in charge of the South London group of 

platforms. He confirmed that No. 20 platform starting signal was cleared for the 8.15 p m . train, and that it returned to danger 

almost immediately. The omnibus telephone then rang, and he replied "South London" to indicate that he was speaking from 

that group of platforms. A voice from the signal box asked about the signal aspects and on Miller confirming what had 

happened. the signalman explained that there had been a track circuit failure and that Miller should stay near the

telephone for further instructions.

Miller stated that at about 8.25 pm. the telephone rang again. and that the same voice said "We want the 8.24 p m . Horsham off 

platform 19 flagged out, one yellow Down South London". Miller was positive that he heard the message correctly, and that 

there was no interference or interruption on the omnihus circuit during the conversation. He agreed that he did not repeat the 

message to the signalman. hut he added that as he had never received instructions in hand signalling trains herepeated the 

message to Station Foreman Mark, who was standing near his ofice opposite to the barrier at the entrance to No. 18 platform. 

Mark immediately went on to No. 19 platform and passed on the instructions to the Horsham train crew.

Miller agreed that there were other trains booked to leave before the 8.24 pm. but said that he never thought of them and "1 just 

did what I was told". It was suggested that the signalman might have said "Hand signal train off 20 for Down South London line 

one yellow", and this might have been mistaken for "Hand signal 8.24 Down South London line one yellow". Miller did not 

think this was so. although later he agreed he was not surprised to get such a message because the 8.24 p m . Horsham train 

stopped at fewer stations than the others and would therefore get clear more quickly.

18. Station Foreman Mark said that at 8.0 p m . he went to his ofice to telephone to the controller. leaving Porter Miller in 

charge of the South London group of platforms. While he wa in his officehe noticed that the 8.15 pm. train had not departed and 

on speaking to the signal box on an automatic telephone in a nearby ticket collector's hut he was informed that a track circuit 

had failed. He therefore passed this information to the motormen of the trains on Nos. 18 and 19 platforms. A few minutes later 

Miller arrived and told him that the signalman wanted "the 8.24 Horsham off 19 flagged out with one yellow down the South 

London". Mark said he was not surprised that this train was to leave first because it was faster than the others, and he accepted 

the message without question or confirmation. After warn- ing the guard and motorman he gave the yellow hand signal and 

watched the train depart under caution. Mark admitted that he did not examine the track nor secure the facing points as required 

by the rules, and he could give no reason for his omission.

19. The evidence of the two train crews is summarised in paragraphs 11 and 12. They also confirmed that the brakes were tested 

and were working properly before the accident.

20. Yard Inspector J. E. Kayler, who was normally in charge of the London Bridge signal box. said that in accordance with his 

usual practice he went to the Station Master's office at about 8.5 pm. to make out his daily reports. At 8.33 pm. on hearing of the 

accident he instructed the clerk to advise the Assistant Station Master on duty so that emergency arrangements could be set in 

motion, and he himself went immediately to the signal box. He checked that the affectedlines had been blocked and that collars 

had been placed an all relevant levers and then he went out to' the scene of the accident. The power supply had not been cut off, 

and he decided to leave it on so that passengers could stay in lighted carriages until arrangements were made for their 

detraimnent. He took this action because there was no sign of arcing and no derailment. Later the Area Inspector arrived and 

arranged for power to be cut off.after which the passengers were detrained and conducted to the station.

21. Relief Station Master R. H. Spraye. who was acting as Assistant Station Master, said he was in the Station Master's office 

when he was advised of the accident. After having a word with Inspector Kayler, he went on to the platform to find out what 

had happened. He took two or three minutes to get there from his office, and at about 8.40 pm. after verifying that there had 

been a collision, he instructed the Platform Inspector to telephone for an ambulance. He did not think that the accident was 

serious and hence he did not send out an emergency call when he first heard about it. There was no sign of fire. hut a call was 

sent to the Fire Brigade at 8.50 pm. on the instructions of the Area Inspector.

22. The accident was due to a serious mistake in the transmission of a verbal message at a time when the failure of a track 

circuit held the South London line starting signals at danger. Signalman Maynard took prompt steps to overcome the difficulty 

by calling the lineman to examine the defective circuit, and after contirming the cause of the trouble he decided to despatch 

trains by hand signals. This was a correct decision, because it is a signalman's duty to take emergency action to reduce delays to 

traffic in such circumstances, but he failed to make sure that his instructions to the station staff were properly understood.

I have no doubt that Maynard intended the 8.15 pm. London Bridge to London Bridge train to leave first, because the locking 

prevented him from setting up any other route, but the message he gave to Porter Miller was not clear. Maynard also omitted to 

find out to whom he was speaking and whether the man concerned was qualified to act as a handsignalman. He had assumed 

from his casual exchange of words with the linenian that there was no obstruction and he saw from the lever repeaters that the 

points were set in their correct position, but he did not check that a handsignalman had secured them in accor- dance with the 

rules. It seems, however, that the special instruction which permits a long train to be started by hand signal without securing the 

facing points has been accepted as applying to cases like this one.

23. Although Porter Miller was convinced that the message he received referred to the 8.24 pm. Horsham train, I am satisfied 

that he misunderstood it. Since he was not trained in hand signalling duties he passed on what he thought to be the signalman’s 

instructions to Station Foreman Mark, who accepted them without question and made no attempt to verify them; Mark also did 

not examine the track and secure the facing points, although he agreed he was familiar with the rules.

24. Primary responsibility rests with Signalman Maynard and Station Foreman Mark for their serious mistakes, but Leading 

Porter Miller must take some share of the blame for failing to check that he had correctly understood the vital message 

authorising the departure of a train by hand signal. Maynard, who has 31 years' servicc, has been a signalnian for 28 years. 

Mark, who has 28 years' service, was a passenger guard before being appointed Station Foreman 14 months before the accident: 

Miller, who is a young man with less than three years' service. had been leading porter for nearly four months.

25. Neither motornian was to blame. Brown. who was.in charge of the incoming train, had itunder control as it approached No. 

166 facing points where it was being diverted to Section "E". In these circumstances he could not tell that the outgoing train 

would cross his path, because even if he had seen its lights as it left the station he would have expected it to take the parallel 

movement through NO. 51 crossover. Similarly, Penfold would not have realised that a collision was imminent until almost the 

last moment. He knew that there had been a signal failure and he left the station at caution. Although he suspected that 

something was wrong when he passed No. 49 shunt signal showing a green light on the right instead of the left hand side, he 

would not have realised that he was running on to the Up Local line until he had passed No. 51 crossover. He was probably 

travelling at about 15-20 m.p.h. at this time, and his emergency brake application was made just too late to stop the train clear of 

NO. 166 crossover.

26. Relief Station Master Sprague did not appreciate at hrst the seriousness of the accident, and consequently the call for 

ambulances was not sent out until nine minutes after the collision occurred. Fortunately no one was badly hurt, and the delay 

was of little consequence on this occasion.

27. The electric current was not cut off automatically by short circuit and it was left on until arrangements were made for the 

detrainment of passengers. I do not consider that in the particular circumstances of this case Yard Inspector Kayler should be 

criticised on this account, because there was no derailment and no sign of arcing, and he thought it was better for the passengers 

to remain in lighted carriages rather than to be plunged into darkness. Even, however, where the damage from a collision on an 

electrified line is comparatively slight there cannot be absolute certainty that an electrical fault will not develop after the lapse of 

some time. The staff, therefore. most always be prepared to act with the utmost promptitude in the event of such trouble.

REMARKS

28. Verbal messages form part of the normal routine of railway working and errors in interpretation sometimes arise, but it is 

vital that mistakes affecting train operation should not be made. It is quite impracticable, however, to substitute written for 

verbal messages on all occasions. especially in emergency. and reliance must be placed on their accurate transmission by the 

individuals concerned. The instructions in the General Appendix to the Working Time Tables lay down that signalmen must 

ensure beyond doubt that messages are fully understood, but this call only be achieved by insisting upon their being given in 

clear and unmistakable language and on their being repeated by the recipients. I therefore recommend that these instructions be 

amplified accordingly, and that supervisors pay special attention to them.

Unless this is done men will get into slack habits of work and speech as occurred on this occasion.

29. With the development of modern signalling controls it secnis hardly necessary to secure power operated facing points by 

clips or scotches in accordance with Rule 78(b), when the points are rigidly locked by the mechanical operation of a point 

machine. which in turn has been locked directly or indirectly by a track circuit failure. In such circumstances a train might bc 

allowed to pass a signal at danger with- out risk, provided always that the signalman satisfies himself that the line is clear and 

that the required points and signals have been correctly operated. I have no doubt that this practice was adopted without 

authority at London Bridge, and I have reason to believe that the same principles were applied at some other busy terminals 

equipped with power signalling.

It is bad for discipline to retain rules which are no longer needed on safety grounds. especially when they impose onerous delays 

to traffic, because staff and supervisors will tend to ignore them. The problem in this case is a difficult one, because the present 

Rule 78(b) must be retained wherever mechanical signalling is in use and it may also be needed for some types of electrical 

failure, but I consider that efforts should be made to devise a general instruction which will be more in keeping with modern 

signalling practice without adversely affecting safety of operation. I understand that in the meantime the issue of special 

instructions to cover the larger power installations in the Southern Region is under consideration.