The 1906  Belgrave Derailment

Off the Rails and around the Bend 

The Train Derailment at Belgrave , Victoria in 1906

The Train Derailment   at Belgrave , Victoria in 1906

What happened

On Sunday 28 January 1906, the excursion train from Ferntree Gully to Gembrook

Just after leaving Belgrave Station heading for Selby, the Train derailed just before the trestle bridge, injuring many passengers.

Early reports suggested that the train was behind schedule and the driver was speeding to make up for lost time. Injured passengers were taken to Belgrave station.

Added note from Stephen Postma   of the Puffing Billy Preservation Society 

January 28th, 250 tourists were travelling to Gembrook in the NQRs. The train, hauled by Compound locomotive 4A, stalled on the way out of Upper Gully so they set back and re-departed. The inexperience driver on the Gembrook line thought he could make up for lost time out of Belgrave, hitting an estimated 30mph round the bends... TBH they were lucky it jumped the tracks as it was right in the embankment before the bridge. The loco and first 4 wagons hit the dirt and 40 passengers were injured, with no deaths.

The driver, Arthur Sheehan, was found entirely responsible for the incident and was demoted to Fireman, and the Victorian Railways fitted speed recorders to all locomotives from then on. Once reinstated as Driver, Sheehan apparently took his shunting engine over an embankment at Ringwood years later...

...all info sourced from Nick Anchen's 'The Narrow Gauge'

How the Newspapers Reported on it 

PASSENGER TRAIN DERAILED.

SEVERAL PERSONS INJURED.

WAS THE SPEED EXCESSIVE?

MELBOURNE , January 29.

The news of an alarming railway accident near Ferntree Gully reached Melbourne this afternoon. Rumour was busy for some hours with wild stories, but authentic information showed that although happily no one was killed, the accident was sufficiently serious. Shortly after 10'clock a train left Ferntree Gully for (Gembrook, carrying passengers who had arrived by one which left Melbourne at 11.10 a.m., and had changed on to the narrow-gauge line. At a spot half a mile past Belgrade [sic] the engine left the rails, dragging with it four trucks. Between 25 and 30 persons were injured, and eight of them seriously. Sunday excursions to Gembrook are extremely popular, and no fewer than 411 passengers booked at Prince's Bridge for that resort, leaving by trains at 10.30 and 11.10. Passengers by the second train changed at Ferntree Gully to the narrow- gauge line. At about 1 o'clock 240 persons were packed into a train consisting of eight covered trucks and two carriages, the latter being in the rear of the train. The heavy train did not start until a second attempt had been made, and considerable time was lost after ascending a slight slope just outside the station.

The train sped along at high speed after passing Belgrade [sic] Station. It went rapidly over the rise, and entered on a curve about half a mile beyond the station. Here the passengers were alarmed by a series of bumps and the train rocked from side to side. Immediately afterwards the engine left the rails, turned over on the outside of the curve, dragged slowly along for a few yards, and then came to a standstill against a low bank. Four trucks, all containing passengers, left the rails and fell in a confused heap. Instantly the air was filled with shrieks of women and excited shouts of men. Those in the undamaged trucks sprang out and began rescue work.

There were but few people pinned, owing to the somewhat crude construction of the trucks, which are made of heavy wood-work with iron supports for canopies. There was less splintering than there

would have been with ordinary light carriages. One passenger became jammed under the seat, and it required the services of four other passengers to extricate him.

The work of removing the injured occupied but a little time. They were laid beneath the shade of trees, and attended by other passengers. The telegraph line was tapped at the scene of the accident, and the news was sent to Melbourne. Casualty vans were dispatched to Ferntree Gully, whither the injured had been sent on trollies, and after temporary medical attention the sufferers were brought to Melbourne.

The other passengers accepted the inevitable philosophically, and, unpacking their Hampers. picnicked on the ground. The speed of the train will be an important point in the enquiry into the accident, but from all accounts there is no doubt that a very high rate was maintained along the narrow-gauge line, and apparently on the curve also. The regulation limit on the whole line is 15 miles, and as Mr. Tait (Chairman of Railways Commissioners) re-marked, "Engine drivers are expected to run with judgement where grades are steep or curves are sharp." Some of the passengers state that the speed in places was 40 miles an hour, but the average passenger is not a good judge of such matters

Mr. Tait the Chief Commissioner of Railways, has made the following statement to the press:

—''An engine and four trucks were derailed on the three-chain curve about three-quarters of a mile beyond Belgrave.

It is supposed that the engine left the track first, followed by the four trucks. The derailment took place in a cutting.

The first two trucks ran on the top of the embankment, the one next to the engine turning over partly on its side. It was the occupants of this truck who were most seriously injured. A casualty train from Melbourne was sent out at once, and the general superintendent of transportation and the chief mechanical engineer went out in a special train, accompanied by Dr. G. A. Syme. Very little damage was done to the road, which will be clear for traffic at about , 3 o'cIock in the morning. There were a large number of passengers on the train— said to be about 240. It is supposed that about seven or eight are badly injured, but it is hoped none of them seriously. In addition there are a number who received slight injuries. The passengers were given every attention possible in the way of first aid, and were brought to Melbourne, where ambulance vehicles were in readiness to receive them. The cause of the engine leaving the road is yet unknown, but the Commissioners will leave by special train at 8:20 on Monday to visit the scene, and enquiry will be immediately held as to the cause of the derailment by the chief mechanical engineer and chief superintendent of transportation. The accident occurred on a three-chain reverse. The train had gone round one curve and was turning another. It was near the foot of the three-quarters of a mile of 1 in 40 down grade. This is a steep grade, but we have grades equally as steep on the Hawksburn, Camberwell and other lines. The line was in excellent condition on the last occasion the Railway Commissioners went over it. A speed limit of 15 miles per hour has to be observed on this line, and, moreover, drivers are expected to run with judgement where the grades are steep or curves steep."

Mr. J. Harris, an experienced engine driver, was one of the passengers thrown out. He said: — "In my opinion the train was overloaded when we left Ferntree Gully. The engine was not able to pull the train up the slope, and the first attempt to climb it resulted in failure. We ran back to Ferntree Gully again, and had a second try. All this caused delay, and the driver seemed anxious to make up time.

We tore alone at a fearful pace, and when we started to go down the grade on which the accident occurred the whole train was oscillating frightfully. I began to feel nervous, and put my head out of the side. I could see the engine bumping about in a curious fashion, and the truck I was in began to bump. The next thing I knew I was being hurled through the air. I escaped with a scratch on the hand. I consider the train was going at about 30 miles an hour, and that the engine left the rails through the great speed at which it was travelling."

Dr. Eccles, who was a passenger on the train, was in one of the carriages. He attended to the injured passengers as well as he was able at the train, and afterwards at Ferntree Gully. For part of the way back to Ferntree Gully a team of bullocks was hitched to the back cars of the train, and drew the cars to Belgrave Station.

Here some of the passengers were transferred to trollies. The injured have been brought to town.

The Register (Adelaide, SA) Monday 29 January 1906 page 5

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/55651207

Photos of the derailment from  The Newspapers

Who was injured in the derailment

The The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA ) Page 7

Monday 29 January 1906 

RAILWAY SENSATION IN VICTORIA. EXCURSION TRAIN DERAILED. PASSENGERS INJURED.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/5002489

Gave a full account of who was injured 

Mrs. F, Bellman. 95, Leopold-street, South Yarra. ' She was suffering from shock, but was able to drive to her home with her husband, who did not appear, to be hurt.

Mr. W. T. Russell, an elderly man, living at 77, Laura-street, Moonee Ponds. He was badly shaken. He was taken in an ambulance to St. Vincent's Hospital. Russell is a recent arrival from Western Australia.

Mr. Thoma' Cox arid his wife, of 39, Blenheim-street, East St. Kilda. His clothing was torn, and his leg and the lower part of the body badly bruised and cut. 

Mrs. Cox ap-peared to be injured internally, and was suffering very much pain from shock. They were driven in an ambulance to their home.

Frank Hornsby, a boy, 12 years, residing at Melton-street, West Melbourne. He appears to be the most seriously injured of all. He was in the truck next to the engine, and when it canted over the other passengers were thrown violently upon him. His collar-bone was broken, and he was unconscious when extricated. On arrival in Melbourne he was sent to a private hospital.

Arthur Sheehan, driver of the engine had the tendons in the back of his hand badly cut, and was suffering from shock. He was taken to the Melbourne Hospital.

Mrs. Harris, of Collingwood, was taken to a private hospital. Her injuries are extremely grave, indicating a possibility that fractured ribs had penetrated her lungs

The following reported themselves injured on arrival at Prince's bridge:-

Mrs. Rosalene Belson, 27, Lama-street, Moonee Ponds. Injury and shock.

Arthur Francis, draughtsman, in the Home Affairs Department, 114, Domain street, South Yarra. Injured elbow and cheek.

Mrs .Catherine Gleeson, 27, Lama-street, Moonee Ponds. Injury to back and shock.

Ernest Gleeson, 27, Lama-street, Moonee Ponds. Bruised collarbone.

Walter Harris, Patrick-street, Stawell. Injured back.

J. Hunter, 89, Johnstone-street, Collingwood. Injured arm.

Mrs. Hunter, Stawell, injured arm.

F. T. Haydn, head teacher Yarra Park State school. Shock.

Frank Hornby, 23, Melton-street, West Melbourne. Bruised elbow, dislocated clavicle, and wounds.

Mr. N. Jacobson, 319, King-street. Shock.

John Kennedy, Commonwealth Hotel, Elizabeth-street. Lacerated wounds.

Mrs. Pinnock, 61, Carter-street, Albert Park. Shock.

John Price, 46, Chapel-street, Windsor. Bruised and cut.

G. Peachcroft, 21, Charles-street, Richmond. Shock and bruises.

Hugh Slattery, 417, Church-street, Richmond. Broken collar bone and cuts.

J Sattery, Harcourt-parade, Richmond. Bruised.

Mrs. Reid Thompson, Bendigo-street, Prahran. Cut head and shock.

In addition the names of the following were taken at Ferntree Gully:-

Amy Barton, Burwood-road, Hawthorn.Bruised arm and thigh.

Miss Margaret Kelly, Wallace-street, Glenferrie, Stunned.

Mrs. Joseph Varley, 89, Johnstone-street, Collingwood. Cut face.

Clarence Varley. Cuts and bruises.

The following, slightly injured and suffer-ing from shocks, did not officially report themselves -

Miss R. Condon .McKinnon;

Miss M. Kennedy, 22, Williams-road, Glenferrie;

 Mrs. W. Rogers, 6, Cochrane-street, Elsternwick;

 H. Hemmings. S, Edinburgh Street, Burnley

 Miss M. Dynon, Miltonstreet, West Melbourne;

 E. Priestly, 42,Grattan-street; Carlton;

 C. Blashfoid, St.Kilda-road;

 Mr. J- Johnston and Miss M. Johnston, 85, Abinge-street,Richmond;

 Mrs. C. Spink, 6, ParkFitzroy-street, St. Kilda;

 Miss Mary Kennedy, 14, Hotham-street, Windsor;

 Miss N.Brennan, North-road, Ormond;

Mr John Condle, 24, ïtamsden-street, Clifton Hill

;F. O'sullivan, 247, Murray-street, South Melbourne;

 Miss Conway, Green-street,Windsor;

 R. Wheelan, 495, Church-street, East Richmond;

 L. Perrith, 71, Glenferrie road, Auburn;

 W. Reeves, 72, Station street, Port Melbourne;

 Mr. and Mrs. A;E. Francis, 114, Domain-road-, South Yarra

cW. Hillyer, 114, Domain-street, SouthYarra;

 E. W. Kennedy, 632, Lonsdale street, Melbourne;

 W. Demmer, 14. Nep-tune-street, Richnomd;

 Miss Corder, Barkly street, St. Kilda;

 Mrs. N. Mcinnes, wife of the superintendent of the N.E. Railway Service;

 Miss E. Crothers, Stewart-street,Malvern;

 Miss Davis, 11, Princess-street,South Melbourne;

 H.' White, 24, Johnston street, - Richmond;

 H. J. ' Far-rar, Hortle - street, Ascotvale;

 Miss M. Coleman, 17, Mary - street,Richmond;

 Misses F. and M.'Stewart, 81, Aoinger-street, Richmond;

 Mrs. W. H. Harris, Stawell;

 Mrs. L. E. Hawke, Sivanston-street, Melbourne;

 M. Kefford, Church street, Middle Brighton;

 Mrs. and Miss J. Hunter, Horsham;

 E. W. Kurd, 632, Lonsdale-street, Melbourne;

 Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Ahlston,

 Master A. C. and Eva Ahlston (no address);

 A. C. Barbour, 142, Burwood-road, Hawthorn.

Sheehan, who received a severe cut to his hand from a broken window of the engine, declines to say anything about the accident, except to express his deep regret at the injuries sustained. 

All the passengers appear to endorse the theory that it was the excessive speed of the train at the sharp curve that took it off the rails.

The Train's crew at the time of the derailment were

Driver of the Engine - Arthur Aquilla Sheehan   ( suspended, pending an inquiry and demoted for  6 months ) 

Fireman - Charles Henry McKeone    (  suspended, pending an inquiry and ?  ) 

Guard - William Blinkhorn  (  suspended, pending an inquiry and ?  ) 

Porter - John Joseph Layne ( also spelt Lane by newspapers ) 

Porter - Errol Ernest Waters

Passenger but about to start as Fireman on the Loco - Thomas Linklater, 

The Train Involved 

thru some sleuthing the engine involved in the derailment was Locomotive 4A

which was mentioned in The Argus newspaper write up on the inquiry into the derailment

 http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/10032320

Locomotive 4A working history 

new locomotive Jun-1900

Class NA

on the Ferntree Gully - Gembrook line Jun-1900 to Feb-1906

Derailment at Belgrave 28th Jan 1906 at No. 5 Trestle Bridge ( Monbulk Creek Bridge )

Wangaratta line Apr-1906 to Mar-1909

Moe line May-1909 to Jan-1910

Wangaratta line Mar-1910 to Jun-1930

Workshops Sep-1930 to Feb-1932

Wangaratta line Mar-1932 to Sep-1933

Workshops Oct-1933 to Sep-1936

scrapping of the locomotive. Sep-1936

Built by Victorian Railways - Newport Workshops, 4A entered service June 13, 1900.

It was scrapped on September 26, 1936, 36 years and 3 months after it entered service.

Gauge Narrow 2ft 6in (762mm)

Information referenced from Table of Victorian Railways narrow gauge locomotive allocations

http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/~narrow.../locoallo.htm

and from

https://www.railpage.com.au/locos/na-class/4a

Loco:  4A

In service  Wednesday, 13th June 1900

Withdrawn  1933

Scrapped  Saturday, 26th September 1936

Livery  Black

Owner  VR

Gauge  762

Status  Scrapped

Info referenced from http://vicsig.net/index.php?page=locomotives&number=4&class=NA&type=Steam&orgstate=V

All NAs were painted Canadian Pacific Red (CPR ) before being painted All-over Black by Harold Clapp. 

1 to 6 were repainted CPR from V.R. Green between 1903 and 1906 with those from 7A onward being outshopped in CPR as new. 

( location colour information from Puffing Billy Preservation Society )

The Location of the Accident

The bridge is 85 metres long, 12 metres high at its highest point and comprises 14 spans of 6 metres, curved to a radius of 20 metres. 

The bridge has a tight 3 chain curvature. It was constructed in 1899, from local, native bush timbers.

Photo of the derailment from The Australasian Saturday 3 February 1906  Page   30

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/page/11434056

The Investigation into the Accident

Newspaper article Photos on the The 1906 Train Derailment at Belgrave

THE BELGRAVE RAILWAY ACCIDENT : THE COURT VISITS THE SCENE. Weekly Times Sat 10 Mar 1906 Page 9

Top Left photo caption : PROFESSOR KERNOT. JUDGE BOX. MR H. C. MAIS

Top Right photo Caption : MR KNIPE. OF THE RAILWAY DEPARTMENT, POINTING OUT MARKS ON THE TRACK TO JUDGE BOX.

Bottom Left Photo Caption: PLANS OF THE SPOT BEING EXPLAINED TO JUDGE BOX.

Bottom Right Photo Caption: THE TROLLY WRECKED NEAR COCKATOO BY THE SPECIAL TRAIN CONVEYING

THE COURT OF INQUIRY TO GEMBROOK. (The two tall men are P. Elligett and L. Kenny, who were in charge of the trolly, and experienced a narrow escape ifrom. bring killed. (Photos, by Mr W. Clifton Croker).

VR Employees working on the line or Engine at the Time of the accident

VR Employees working on the line or Engine at the Time of the accident called by the Court to Give evidence as reported in newpapers

Working on the Line

James Fury, Way and Works - Ganger 

Patrick Edward Eiligett, Way and Works - Repairer 

John Russell, Way and Works - Ganger

William Francis Harding. Transportation - Signalman

Lawrence Kenny, Way and Works - Repairer

Working on the Train 

Driver of the Engine - Arthur Aquilla Sheehan  ( suspended, pending an inquiry and demoted for  6 months ) 

Fireman - Charles Henry McKeone    (  suspended, pending an inquiry and ?  ) 

Guard - William Blinkhorn  (  suspended, pending an inquiry and ?  ) 

Porter - John Joseph Layne ( also spelt Lane by newspapers ) 

Porter - Errol Ernest Waters

Thomas Linklater, Rolling Stock - Fireman ( passenger on the train and was about to start working on the Loco as fireman the next week ) 

The Argus, Thursday 17 May 1906, page 8

THE RAILWAYS.

GEMBROOK ACCIDENT.

DRIVER SHEEHAN'S APPEAL.

Arthur Aquilla Sheehan, the driver of the train which was derailed in the Gembrook accident, has appealed against his reduction to the position of fireman for six months.The appeal board will sit at 10 o'clock this morning to deal with the matter which is expected to engage their attention during the day and for portion of the evening . Yesterday the members of the board visited the scene of the accident, preliminary to commencing their inquiry, and several trials of speed were made. The charge preferred against Driver Sheehan was one of misconduct on February 28 in that he, while acting as driver of the 12:44 p.m. down train from Ferntree Gully to Gembrook, which was derailed between Belgrave and Selby, ran the train at a speed in excess of the permitted maximum speed of 15 miles an hour thereby directly contributing to the derailment.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/10029996

BELGRAVE RAILWAY ACCIDENT.

The Railways commissioners, in view of the findings of the Court of Enquiry into the Belgrave Railway Accident, have decided to reduce the speed on that line to 12 miles an hour.

They are also having a survey made with the object of improving the curves. The Heads of the branches will deal with cases of men considered to be blameworthy.

The Register (Adelaide, SA) Page 8

BELGRAVE RAILWAY ACCIDENT.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/55714459

How some of the Locals saw it at the Time

They definitely were not having a good run on the line that week - the next day there was another incident between Belgrave and Upway 

( Monday 29th Jan 1906)

Newspaper Articles Links

The Register (Adelaide, SA) page 5

29 Jan 1906 - PASSENGER TRAIN DERAILED

nla.gov.au/nla.news-article55651207

The The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA ) Page 7 

Monday 29 January 1906 

RAILWAY SENSATION IN VICTORIA. EXCURSION TRAIN DERAILED. PASSENGERS INJURED. 

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/5002489

The Argus (Melbourne, Vic) page 7

29 Jan 1906 - RAILWAY SENSATION. FERNTREE GULLY ...

nla.gov.au/nla.news-article10039115

Wairarapa Daily Times ( N.Z) page 5

29 January 1906, SERIOUS RAILWAY ACCIDENT IN VICTORIA. - Papers Past

http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=WDT19060129.2.17.17

Geelong Advertiser page 2

Tuesday 30 January 1906   ANOTHER GEMBROOK SENSATION - A DIVIDED Train.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/149164520

Daily Telegraph (Launceston, Tas) page 5

30 Jan 1906 - SERIOUS RAILWAY MISHAP EXCURSION ...

https://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/151832053

The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA) page 7

30 Jan 1906 - THE GEMBROOK RAILWAY ACCIDENT ...

https://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/5002914

The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW ) page 4

30 Jan 1906 - GEMBROOK RAILWAY ACCIDENT. CAUSE ...

nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14713735

Press (N.Z) page 5

Papers Past — Press — 30 January 1906 — A VICTORIAN

http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=CHP19060130.2.28.14

Marlborough Express (N.Z) page 2

31 January 1906 THE GEMBROOK RAILWAY ACCIDENT. - Papers Past

http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=MEX19060131.2.15.11.7

The Argus (Melbourne, Vic) page 7

Wednesday 31 January 1906 GEMBROOK ACCIDENT. ~ THE OFFICIAL INQUIRY. EVIDENCE OPENED.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/10035638

The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA) page 4

01 Feb 1906 - GEMBROOK RAILWAY ACCIDENT ... 

trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/5003836

The Argus (Melbourne, Vic) page 16

03 Feb 1906 - THE GEMBROOK ACCIDENT ...

nla.gov.au/nla.news-article10027241

The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW ) page 13

03 Feb 1906 - VICTORIA. GEMBROOK RAILWAY ...

trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/14740296

The Australasian Saturday 3 February 1906  Page   30

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/page/11434056

The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW ) page 5

06 Feb 1906 - GEMBROOK RAILWAY ACCIDENT ...

trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/14715791

The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW ) page 5

27 Feb 1906 - GEMBROOK ACCIDENT INQUIRY. THE ...

nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14755757

Bendigo Advertiser (Vic) page 5

28 Feb 1906 - THE BELGRAVE DISASTER. SPECIAL ...

trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/90698445

The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA) page 8

28 Feb 1906 - GEMBROOK RAILWAY. ANOTHER ...

nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5012026

The Argus (Melbourne, Vic) page 7

28 Feb 1906 - GEMBROOK ACCIDENT. THE OFFICIAL ...

nla.gov.au/nla.news-article10030211

The Register (Adelaide, SA) page 6

01 Mar 1906 - GEMBROOK RAILWAY DISASTER ...

trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/55716873

The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA) page 6

01 Mar 1906 - GEMBROOK RAILWAY ACCIDENT. THE ...

nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5012338

Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW ) page 1

06 Mar 1906 - BELGRAVE RAILWAY ACCIDENT ...

nla.gov.au/nla.news-article44493518

Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW ) page 

08 Mar 1906 - BELGRAVE RAILWAY ACCIDENT

nla.gov.au/nla.news-article44493691

Gippsland Times (Vic.) page 3

08 Mar 1906 - Gippsland Times - p3

https://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/65327254

Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW ) page 1

09 Mar 1906 - BELGRAVE, RAILWAY ACCIDENT.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/44493800

Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW ) page 1

14 Mar 1906 - BELGRAVE RAILWAY ACCIDENT

nla.gov.au/nla.news-article44494257

Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW ) page 1

15 Mar 1906 - BELGRAVE RAILWAY ACCIDENT INQUIRY ...

nla.gov.au/nla.news-article44494391

Bendigo Advertiser (Vic) page 6

17 Mar 1906 - BELGRAVE RAILWAY DISASTER

trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/90700107

The Argus (Melbourne, Vic) page 8

17 May 1906 - THE RAILWAYS. GEMBROOK ACCIDENT ...

trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/10029996

Bendigo Advertiser (Vic) page 5

22 Mar 1906 - BELGRAVE DISASTER. MORE EXPERT ...

nla.gov.au/nla.news-article90700588

Bendigo Advertiser (Vic) page 3

24 Mar 1906 - BELGRAVE DISASTER. RAILWAY ...

trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/90700705

Bendigo Advertiser (Vic) page 4

27 Mar 1906 - BELGRAVE DISASTER. ADDRESSES OF ...

trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/90700989

Bendigo Advertiser (Vic) page 8

28 Mar 1906 - BELGRAVE DISASTER. THE INQUIRY ...

https://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/90701012

Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW ) page 1

28 Mar 1906 - BELGRAVE RAILWAY ACCIDENT ...

https://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/44495650

Riverine Herald (Echuca, Vic) Thursday 5 April 1906 page 2 

Belgrave Railway Disaster. REPORT FURNISHED.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/114852728

The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA) page 5

05 Apr 1906 - GEMBROOK RAILWAY ACCIDENT. REPORT ...

nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5067508

The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW ) page 7

05 Apr 1906 - GEMBROOK RAILWAY ACCIDENT. RESULT ...

nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14763297

Examiner (Launceston, Tas) page 8

07 Apr 1906 - BELGRAVE RAILWAY LINE MELBOURNE ...

trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/38080783

The Register (Adelaide, SA) Page 8

BELGRAVE RAILWAY ACCIDENT.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/55714459

The Argus (Melbourne, Vic) page 14

07 Apr 1906 - GEMBROOK ACCIDENT. STATEMENT BY ...

nla.gov.au/nla.news-article10029349

Bairnsdale Advertiser and Tambo and Omeo Chronicle (Vic.) Page 2

14 Apr 1906 - THE GEMBROOK SMASH. 

trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/85127392

The Age   Page 7

Thursday 17 May 1906  GEMBROOK ACCIDENT INQUIRY

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/189370487

The Argus (Melbourne, Vic) page 8

17 May 1906 - THE RAILWAYS. GEMBROOK ACCIDENT ...

nla.gov.au/nla.news-article10029996

The Argus (Melbourne, Vic) page 7

22 May 1906 - GEMBROOK ACCIDENT., DRIVER SHEEHAN'S APPEAL.

nla.gov.au/nla.news-article10023118

The Register (Adelaide, SA) Page 5

23 May 1906 - GEMBROOK RAILWAY ACCIDENT. ENGINE ...

trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/55640149

Yet another Derailment for The Engine Driver 

Arthur Aquilla Sheehan Driver of the Engine at the Belgrave derailment was reduced to fireman for six months as a  result of  the Gembrook line accident at Belgrave  

But He was involved in yet another derailment  at Ringwood on the 11th February 1908

It was after this derailment that he was demoted to Labourer.

The Argus Wed 12 Feb 1908 Page 7 

RAILWAY ACCIDENT.

LOCOMOTIVE DERAILED AT RINGWOOD.

A railway accident occurred at Ringwood yesterday, when a locomotive attached to eight bogie carriages, driven by Driver

Sheehan, steamed into a dead end, the heavy timbers of which were shattered and hurled on to the road 15ft. below. The

locomotive tore through the loose ballast and plunged down the embankment, over- turning half-way from the road. Fortunately none of the carriages, which were all empty were derailed, nevertheless, the one nearest the engine was slightly damaged.

It may be retarded as a coincidence that Driver Sheehan and Fireman Charles M'Keone who was with Sheehan at Ring- wood yesterday, were the crew of the engine which played the central part in the Gembrook disaster. It is alleged that the accident was due to a simple cause. When Driver Sheehan drove into the station to

pick up the 6.54 train for Melbourne, the point was lying right for him to come out on the main line. It is further alleged that while the engine was on the siding, however, the point was altered so as to

lock Driver Sheehan into the siding while another train was at work on the other line. It is supposed that Driver Sheehan did not notice the alteration but at all events he turned on steam and the engine

moved forward. Instead of taking the rails which crossed into the main line, which, of course, had been closed by the point indicator the engine continued along the siding and dashed into the dead end. As the locomotive moved down the embankment, Sheehan and M'Keone both jumped for safety, but though Sheehan got clear, and escaped with a slight shaking. M'Keone was pinned under the locomotive. A number of men who were standing by at the

time ran to his assistance and soon re- moved him from his painful position. Dr. Craig of Box Hill, was sent for and a careful examination revealed that though M'Keone had sustained several ugly cuts and bruises, no bones were broken.

Fortunately there was little or no delay of traffic, as a gang of men were at once told off to clear away what little wreckage

the mishap had occasioned. It is peculiar coincidence that the locomotive (No. 478 E E) recently figured in another accident

when a passenger train collided with a goods train at Frankston.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/10662155

Other Records on the Derailment 

Possible - Victorian  Public Records Office Records on the Derailment 

Unit Details

Series title:

Accident Reports

Unit number:    2

Description:   Belgrave

Date range:   1906 -

Public access:   Open

Format:   Box

Location:   North Melbourne

This Unit is part of  Series number:    VPRS 3619

Consignment number:    P0000

1st Published : 2 May  2016            Page Updated: 13 Sept 2020          © Looking for the Evidence : Jennifer Baker ( Jenny Baker ) 

                                                                       Page Updated: 17 Mar 2024     - addition Newspaper images