Ratho rail crash

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The Ratho rail crash happened on 3 January 1917 near Ratho Station in Scotland. An express passenger train collided with a light engine in stormy weather at Queensferry Junction, just west of the station. A Dalmeny train had stopped opposite the junction signalbox, and the signalman planned to hold it there until the 16:18 Edinburgh–Glasgow express passed. There were no fixed signals to stop the light engine, so hand-signals were used. The light engine uncoupled and moved toward the main line without instructions. The signalman set the main line signals to danger and blew his whistle, but in the storm the driver could not be reached.

The express, hauled by locomotive 874 Dunedin and carrying many soldiers and other passengers, hit the light engine at about 30 mph, telescoping the first coach and derailing the second. Twelve people were killed and 46 were seriously injured.

A Board of Trade inquiry led by Colonel J. W. Pringle found that the disaster was caused by the unsafe use of hand-signals to control access to passenger lines.