Railways and Tramways of Australia
29 June
Artist’s depiction of the railway accident at the Ring Culvert, near Brighton, Tasmania, on 29 June 1886. Image: Melbourne Punch, 8 July 1886, p 6.
Tragedy follows celebration
A derailment near Brighton in Tasmania killed an engine crew on 29 June 1886.
It was a day of celebration. The Fingal Line was officially opened and special trains from Hobart and Launceston conveyed official guests to the terminus at St Marys, where an opening ceremony was held.
The train returning to Hobart consisted of 4-4-0 engine no. 8, two passenger carriages and a brake van. On board were Tasmanian Premier James Agnew, members of parliament, railway officials and invited guests. When the train stopped at Campania, the guard warned the driver about excessive speed and directed the fireman to use the engine’s handbrake if required to restrict speed.
Around 10.30 pm the train was quickly descending a grade. At a location known as Ring Culvert, around two miles north of Brighton, the train entered a curve. The fireman told the driver to shut off steam and reduce speed but the driver ignored the warning. Becoming frightened, the fireman applied the handbrake, which had the effect of locking up the wheels and causing them to skid.
The locomotive and passenger carriages left the tracks, toppling over, while the brake van remained upright. Both driver and fireman were thrown out of the locomotive, with the tender falling on them. The driver was killed instantly and the fireman died later in hospital, making a statement of facts before he passed away. Seven passengers were injured seriously and another ten received minor injuries. The engine’s steam dome was knocked off, coming to rest 100 metres away.
Passengers assisted others where they were able. A relief train later arrived from Hobart. A coronial inquest found that the accident was caused by excessive speed and the application of the handbrake on a curve.
A day of celebration had turned into tragedy.
Bibliography
B Chamberlain, Too many loose rails, Regal Press, Launceston, n.d.
TCT Cooley, Railroading in Tasmania: 1868–1961, Government Printer, Hobart, 1963.
‘Fatal railway accident’, Launceston Examiner, 2 July 1886 p 3.
‘Fatal railway accident’, The Tasmanian, 3 July 1886 p 12.
‘Serious disaster on the main line’, The Mercury, 30 June 1886, p 3.
‘Terrible accident to the train’, The Mercury Supplement, 10 July 1886, p 1.
‘The railway accident in Tasmania’, Melbourne Punch, 8 July 1886, p 6.
Drawing showing the wreckage following the accident at the Ring Culvert, near Brighton, Tasmania, on 29 June 1886. Image: Thomas Midwood, Libraries Tasmania, FA181.
