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Hardwicke

Heartland

Heartland

master brummie
The London & North Western Railway Locomotive involved in the collision at Lawley Street on May 27th, 1892, was a six wheeled express engine with the number 790. It had recently had a extensive rebuild at Crewe Locomotive Works and come out of these shops in April.

The Lawley Street accident came about as two passenger trains travelled fast on parallel track to Derby Junction near the bridge over Lawley Street. The resulting collision point was at the Horse Box of the Midland Train where the groom was killed and the mare and foal had to be put down. The LNWR engine eventually fell over the Viaduct to the Midland Railway stables below. Both engine driver and fireman sustained serious injuries and the front passenger guard of the LNWR train was killed.

Following the accident 790, named Hardwicke, a 2-4-0 Tender locomotive, was repaired again and became known for the fast timings to Carlisle in 1895. The engine was preserved by the LMS railway and later spent time in Clapham Museum. But when that closed went to Steamtown at Carnforth and was put back into working order again and took place in various public events. The boiler Hardwicke, at that time, had been made by Ruston & Hornsby of Lincoln.

Hardwicke is presently to be seen at York Railway Museum, although how much of the original locomotive remains, must be a matter for discussion.
 
Wikipedia says it was built in 1892,
On 27 October 1895, locomotive No. 790 Hardwicke was hauling an express passenger train that collided with a freight train at Preston. The express was derailed and Hardwicke was severely damaged. The accident was caused by the driver of the freight misreading signals.
 
There are some conflicting statements on the Internet regarding Hardwicke.

Yet 790 is identified by the Board of Trade enquiry into the Lawley Street accident July 20th 1892, where the damage to the engine was recorded.

Whether 790 was taken into Crewe Works and another engine took its place with the number 790 would need to be proved by records. However Bertram Baxter when compiling his history of LNWR locomotives did suggest that original stayed in service.

The Board Trade Enquiry found fault with the driver of the Midland Train and also with the two guards on the Midland Train train
 
Extensive details of the Coroner’s Inquest and verdict is available in a report from the Birmingham Daily Post 9 June 1892.

An OS Map published 1890.

C06790BC-0C4E-41D1-8A0D-B2EEA6AA0C09.jpeg
 
The other locomotive in the Lawley Street accident was Midland Railway locomotive 1282

It was a 2-4-0 built by Dubs and Co in 1876, rebuilt in 1887 with larger 18in diameter cylinders. This engine was renumbered by the Midland in 1907 as 157 and also carried this number with the LMS until 1934, when it became 20157 and was withdrawn from service December 1939
 
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