LMS Route: Birmingham New Street to Nuneaton
LMS Route: Birmingham New Street to Tamworth
LMS Route: Hampton in Arden to Whitacre

Whitacre Station: mrwj1171

A plate layer's small hand truck or 'lurry' is seen standing on one of the sidings at the north east end of Whitacre Station. The siding is the same seen in image 'mrwj126'. These trucks were designed to carry equipment and spare parts for repairing the trackwork. They were pushed by hand and were light enough to be lifted off the track when the gang had arrived at the place of work or when a train was due. One of the first accidents on the B&DJR was caused when the lurry was on the track when it should not have been. The accident occurred on 2nd December 1840 when the 5:30pm Hampton to Derby train ran over the lurry causing it to derail and killing Richard Bluck, a labourer in the employ of the B&DJR who was seated in the carriage behind the locomotive. The fireman was severely injured as was another passenger in the employ of the B&DJR whilst the driver escaped unhurt. Other than a lady passenger who suffered contusions to her shoulder no other persons were injured.

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