Wigan Album

D322 written off in a fatal collision between Norton Crossing & Acton Grange Junction on Friday The 13th May 1966 when the Northwich-Ravenhead covhops loaded with soda ash broke away at Acton Grange Junction Signal Box & ran away backwards rapidly gaining speed in the wrong direction down the 1in35 falling gradient towards Norton Crossing Signal Box with the Euston-Stranraer express being hauled by D322 rapidly climbing the bank towards it.

Both traincrew died in this & they by cruel twist of fate were only yards over the wrong side of catch points that would have protected their train from this runaway & would have probably saved them.

Another 15 seconds further back & the crew of D322 would have probably made it,or at least stood a better chance as the covhops would have been derailed by the catch points & not slammed into the cab of D322 at such speed.

Talk about wrong place,wrong time.
Friday the 13th.

Do you have any further info and photos pf this incident..ive recently descovered my father was on the passenger train..and was injured..only found this out recently and im trying to trace a specific photo taken fpr papers of my dad and mum..it would be one of only four pictures of my mum if im able find it.. lost her in 74 ..i was 5 then.. any help much appreciated..contact me via. debitither@gmail.com