Iron Roads & Dark Nights: Cambridgeshire’s Historical Railway Disasters

Join Old Willingham as we look back on six of the most dramatic railway incidents to occur right on our doorstep.
Spanning a century of history, our journey will uncover:
The Abbots Ripton Blizzard (1876): How a catastrophic double collision redefined global signal safety.
The March Station Crash (1896): The dramatic day a Harwich boat train collided with a Cambridge excursion.
The Soham Explosion (1944): The breathtaking WWII heroism of a train crew who risked everything to save their town from 400 tons of explosives.
The “Crossing of Death” (1948): The dual Conington tragedies that claimed the life of the Mayor of Peterborough.
The Conington South Sabotage (1967): The chilling story of a signalman who deliberately derailed an express train travelling at 75mph.
Danger in the Fens (1976): The dense fog collision at Shippea Hill that forced level crossing automation.
This talk explores the delicate balance of technology, human error, and bravery that formed the foundations of the safe railway networks we travel on today.
Find out more at the Old Willingham meeting on Monday the 28th September at 7.30pm in the Social Club £5 cash or card on the door to cover the cost of the room.
Please click “Going” to help us track numbers for seating.
We look forward to seeing you there!