The Quintinshill Rail Disaster

Published on 22 May 2025
Submitted by David Carter

The Quintinshill disaster was a rail crash which occurred on 22 May 1915 outside the Quintinshill signal box near Gretna Green. It involved a troop train carrying men to Liverpool who were bound for the Gallipoli campaign.

A southbound troop train collided head-on with a stationary local train on the up line at 6.49 am. Just sixty seconds later, a second northbound express train ran into the wreckage.

In this presentation, David Carter explains the background and events on the day which resulted in the deaths of over 200 people. It remains the worst rail disaster in British history.

The Quintinshill Rail Disaster
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