Accident Returns: Extract for the Accident at Goathland on 12th October 1861

"On the evening in question, the wire-rope was attached to the van at 25 minutes to 6 pm., to draw up four waggons loaded with whinstone, which were placed in front of it in the usual manner. The total load is stated to have been 53½ tons, and the load of the stone only, as taken from the record-book of the weighing machine at the bottom of the incline, 26 tons 15 cwt.

When this train had been pulled up to within 120 yards of the summit, the rope suddenly gave way at 24 yards from the van. The engineer at the stationary engine found his engine suddenly increasing its speed, and shut off his steam. The man at the drum observed that the rope dropped. The breaksman at the tail of the train felt a sudden jerk, and perceived that his van was beginning to descend the incline.

This man states that he then at once turned on his break, and jumped out of the van, to endeavour to get some spraggs into the wheels of the waggons. These are pieces of timber, which are commonly inserted between the spokes of the wheels. They become jammed, as the wheels revolve, against the axle-guards and bodies of the waggons, and thus assist in checking their speed as they descend the incline; and they are carried in the van for this purpose. He was unable, however, to make use of them, and was obliged to let the train run down, as it was, towards the station.

At the foot of the incline, the van and waggons came into collision with four other waggons of whinstone with great violence. The bred-van was broken to pieces, as well as four of the waggons, two the descending, and two in the stationary train."

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