GWR Route: Moreton-in-Marsh to Shipston-on-Stour

Longdon Road Station: gwrlr3018

Photographed on his velocipede inspection car in circa 1925, Charles Webb was one of the Gangers for the Moreton-in-Marsh to Shipston-on-Stour branch line. He was involved in a fatal accident on 3rd February 1930 as described in the MOT report transcribed below:

GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY

Ministry of Transport
4, Whitehall Gardens
London
SW1

SIR,

I have the honour to report for the Ministry of Transport, in accordance with the Order of 5th March, the result of my inquiry into the circumstances attending the fatal accident which occurred on the 3rd February 1930, to C Webb near Longdon Road on the Great Western Railway.

Webb was employed as a ganger on the Stretton-on-Fosse to Shipston-on-Stour section of the single line steam tramway from Moreton-in-Marsh to Shipston-on-Stour. The branch is some eight miles in length and is worked with one engine in steam or two engines coupled together. Instructions are laid down in the Sectional Appendix that each ganger must inspect his own length daily, using a velocipede inspection car. When using the car the ganger must obtain permission from the stationmaster in the direction from which the next train is due to arrive. Telephones are provided in huts at eight points on the branch for the purpose, as also at the four stations. Further it is distinctly stipulated that on no account must either of the gangers of whom there are two on the branch, take his car or trolley beyond Stretton-on-Fosse, the intermediate station on the branch. Only one regular booked train daily is worked over the branch, which is timed to leave Moreton-in-Marsh at 1:35pm. To avoid the necessity of sending out the necessary flagmen when the car or a trolley is placed on the line, in accordance with Rule 247, etc, the Engineering Department are given absolute occupation of the line between Moreton-in-Marsh and Shipston-on-Stour after the arrival of the last train at the former station and until 15 minutes before the first train is due to leave Moreton-in-Marsh the following morning. No special train must be run without notice having been given to the gangers and acknowledged by them.

It would appear that Webb, who was ganger on the upper section, placed the velocipede inspection car on the line at 1:40pm at the permanent way hut, a little over a mile on the Shipston side of Stretton-on-Fosse Station. He was last seen by his sub-ganger, Edward Heath, at that point when Hands and the other two members of the gang left to commence hedge cutting duties. The daily goods train, consisting of nine wagons and brake van, due to leave Moreton-in-Marsh at 1:35pm was despatched at 1:25pm. It arrived at Stretton-on-Fosse, the intermediate station, at 1:45pm and left at 1:55pm, being then 15 minutes before time. On approaching Longdon Road the driver FW Gubbins sighted the velocipede in front proceeding in the same direction. It was then about 20 yards in advance. Webb being upon it with his back towards the following train. The whistle is stated to have been sounded and every effort made both to attract Webb’s attention and stop the train, but without avail, and the velocipede was struck by the engine. Webb was thrown from it and run over with fatal results. Gubbins states on application of the brake all the engine wheels picked up, thus preventing him from stopping earlier.

The unfortunate occurrence arose through a failure on the part of Webb to observe the instructions laid down, but which I feel have been somewhat neglected in the past. He neither made use of the telephone to obtain permission to occupy the line nor, failing that, did he arrange to provide a flagman. His sub-ganger was not aware of these instructions until after the occurrence. The despatch of the train before time, though by no means an uncommon procedure, possibly led to a feeling of false security in Webb’s mind. The train was running at a low speed, stated to have been 5mph. Unfortunately, owing to the fact that the engine was running bunker first, the velocipede was not sighted by the driver until he was within 20 yards of it. The line approaching the point where the accident took place is laid on curves of 10, 11 and 24 chains to the right. Gubbins was on the left side of his engine in the direction of travel, and the bunker would obscure his view, but on the other side had his fireman been disengaged and looking out, the velocipede could have been sighted from a point quite 120 yards away and in ample time to avoid coming in contact with it.

No doubt as a result of the regrettable occurrence greater care will be exercised by all concerned to regard strictly the regulations relating to working of the branch in future. Steps should be taken to ensure that all staff engaged thereon are thoroughly acquainted with, and impressed with the fact that no trolley or velocipede must be placed upon the line, unless the usual flagmen are provided until sanction has been obtained from a responsible authority. Also, as the timing of the departure of the train from Moreton-in-Marsh is of vital importance, measures should be taken to see that such timing is rigidly enforced.

Webb had been on duty seven hours when the occurrence took place.

have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

JPS Main

Robert Ferris

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