St Bedes Junction rail crash

On 17 December 1915 in the early morning in fog, a goods train ran out onto the main line past St Bedes signalbox having been banked in the rear up the incline by a six-coupled tank engine. The banking engine, uncoupled dropped away from the goods train and came to a stand on the up main line, but was not seen by the signalman. Shortly afterwards the signalman accepted the 07:05 passenger train from South Shields to Newcastle on the up line, and the 06:58 empty stock train from Hebburn to South Shields. The passenger train collided with the rear of the banking engine at 30 mph; telescoping the two leading coaches. Almost immediately the empty stock train collided with the wreckage, killing the fireman. The gas-lit passenger coaches were consumed by fire, killing 18.