Tragedies during wartime are not always war related. By May, 1915, the First World War was already some ten months old, and the British public had become accustomed to death and heartache. However, what happened in Scotland 99 years ago today was equally devastating.
Quintinshill is a railway signal box near Gretna Green, and is on the line that links Carlisle and Glasgow. A troop train travelling from Larbert to Liverpool collided with a local passenger train, and was then hit by an express train heading to Glasgow. Gas from the train's lighting system ignited, and the three trains, along with two nearby goods trains, were soon alight.
226 people lost their lives, with a further 246 injured. This remains the worst rail accident in the United Kingdom.
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