Comber Historical Society returned from its summer break on Monday, September 9th, at Smyth Hall, 2nd Comber Presbyterian, for its AGM and a talk by Philip Donald entitled 'The Armagh Rail Disaster’.
The audience was enthralled by the details of the 1889 accident, which was notable as one of the worst railway disasters of its time in the UK and remains the worst railway disaster in Irish history.
On 12th June 1889, Armagh Methodist Sunday School organised an excursion, offering families the chance of an affordable day out. A train was organised by the Great Northern Railway of Ireland intending to accommodate 800 passengers. What started as a trip to the seaside at Warrenpoint quickly turned into tragedy for the parents and children on board. Eighty-nine were killed and over 400 injured.
A festive atmosphere abounded as many families met outside the Methodist Church on Abbey Street to walk to the railway station behind the Royal Irish Fusiliers, 3rd Battalion Military Band. However, the day's popularity would also impact the events to come.
The plan had been to accommodate 800 people, but approximately 1200 turned up ready to board the train to Warrenpoint. When the station master decided to use fifteen vehicles instead of thirteen, engine driver Thomas McGrath objected. However, he was overruled. The train set off with fifteen carriages and a four-coupled locomotive. Hindered by the steep gradient of the route and further impacted by the number of passengers, the train stalled.
A decision was made to divide the train, taking the first carriages to another station. The engine would return, taking the remaining carriages to rejoin the train. Stones were placed under the carriage wheels, but this and the non-automatic vacuum brake system were insufficient to keep the rear carriages from rolling backwards down the incline towards Armagh. A time interval operating system meant that there was no way of the Armagh station knowing that the line ahead was not clear. The 10:35 am passenger train departed from the station and collided with the runaway carriages, leading to devastation.
Philip explained that the disaster's impact saw the immediate introduction across the UK rail networks of new legislation for the management of railways, braking systems, and signalling.
We thank Philip Donald for providing an in-depth and fascinating presentation on the Armagh Rail Disaster. Given our town’s connections to the history of the railways, this topic was popular with our audience.
Comber Historical Society’s next meeting is on Monday, October 14th, at Smyth Hall, 2nd Comber Presbyterian. Len Ball and Roy Spence will host our ever-popular annual ‘Comber Film Night’—not to be missed! As usual, it starts at 8 p.m., and the entry fee includes tea and coffee.
Comber Historical Society entry is changing slightly this year with a 50% discount for CHS card-carrying members! Membership runs annually and costs just £10! Monthly members entry: £2/ Non-Members/Visitors entry: £4. Entry includes tea and coffee. For those who have already joined our new membership, don’t forget your membership cards!
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