traincrash

"At Salt Clay Creek (near The Gap) a train derailment occurred on January 25, 1885 following heavy rain. 6 people were killed and another died days later. 45 were injured." (from Cootamundra Council history document) Related newspaper clipping from the Taranaki Herald (New Zealand).

The Sydney Morning Herald 26/01/1885 - trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/page/1407255?zoomLevel=1

Picton Lakes a.k.a. Thirlmere Lakes. Caption in the corner, Cash Photo Thirlmere.

A tender very much like this remains beside the line near the scene of the accident. For details of the accident, see RAILWAY COLLISION. AT PICTON LAKES. (1911, November 2). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 9. nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15285656

I believe this is June 27, 1940. see attached Newspaper report from 07 Aug 1940. FAULTY SIGNALS IN SYDNEY TRAIN SMASH ' SYDNEY, Tuesday— Faults in the ignalling apparatus on that section of the line had been reported before and since the accident, said a witness at the inquest on Willam Joseph Stephen Hatch, electric train driver, who was killed in a double train smash near Newtown on June 27. Arthur Leonard O'Brien, station mas ier at Newtown, said that he had re oorted a fault in a signal a fortnight before the accident, and had reported faults since. He was supervising the shunting of the goods train in the Newtown yards at the time of the acci dent, and knew that Hatch's train was due, and should be sided at a signal. Next time he looked back he saw the train coming past the signal. He sip nailed him to stop, and heard his air; brakes applied, but the train did not Slacken. Both trains were derailed, and Hatch's was struck a few seconds later by a second electric train. The Acting City Coroner (Mr. Wells) i adjourned the inquest until Wednesday.