New Memorial Honors Victims of Hull’s Historic Rail Disaster

A newly unveiled memorial at Hull Paragon station now honors victims of the city’s tragic rail disaster. The tribute marks 98 years since the fatal train collision occurred. This was reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Remembering Hull’s Tragic Rail Disaster

Historian Richard M. Jones led efforts to commemorate the victims and preserve their tragic story. He has spent years researching forgotten disasters and advocating for historical remembrance initiatives.

Don’t miss…Spain Denied Poland’s Purchase of Talgo: Reasons and Consequences

Previously, Hull Royal Infirmary housed a tribute, but its removal followed the hospital’s helipad construction. Jones proposed installing a new plaque at the station, and TransPennine Express supported the initiative.

The fatal accident involved two passenger trains heading toward opposite destinations in the region. One was arriving from Withernsea, while the other had just departed for Scarborough.

Signalmen mistakenly directed both trains onto the same track, leading to a catastrophic collision. The impact resulted in 12 fatalities, marking one of Hull’s worst railway tragedies.

Jones highlighted past efforts to honor the victims, which faced unfortunate obstacles and setbacks. The first memorial was stolen, while the second required removal during hospital expansion.

A New Memorial to Preserve History

With no remaining tribute, the accident risked fading from public memory and historical records. However, TransPennine Express granted permission for a station-based memorial honoring the victims.

Today’s commemoration included a minute of silence observed at precisely 9:10 a.m. Officials from the railway company, city council, and victims’ families gathered to pay their respects.

The plaque now stands prominently near the Philip Larkin statue inside Hull Paragon station. Ben Courtney, station manager, expressed gratitude to Jones for spearheading the commemorative effort.

He emphasized the plaque’s dual role in honoring victims and preserving Hull’s railway history. The memorial ensures future generations remain aware of this tragic event’s significance.

Source: www.hulldailymail.co.uk

News on railway transport, industry, and railway technologies from Railway Supply that you might have missed:

Don’t miss…Adelaide Metro Introduces Batteries on Diesel Trains to Save Fuel