Henwick Hall Level Crossing

Tuesday September 11 2018 at 9.25. The 7.26 London to Hull (10.06) train running a little late. This is 3/4 of a mile south of Brayton LC. This crossing used to have 2 full barriers until 2014. They were installed before 1978 but they weren’t the same bulky type as at Brayton LC. With so little traffic and so few trains half barriers would have been sensible here. They probably weren’t put in originally because there was a signalman present. Installing four barriers recently was a dreadful waste of money although NR's publicity foolishly called it an upgrade. Their risk rating system have this as low or moderate risk but they ignored that. The double white lines have gone so now overtaking on the crossing is permitted. In 1964 a train of 54 empty oil wagons passing here came apart and one axle of a wagon derailed towards the other line. In those days this was part of the East Coast Main Line and the Kings Cross to Edinburgh express with 220 passengers was rapidly approaching. The train hit the truck and bits of wagons went everywhere. Four coaches derailed. Just 2 people were injured however. The cause was poorly maintained wagons. Its interesting how many railway staff were here then. Both diesel engines still had firemen, the goods train had a guard who jumped clear just in time, there was a signalman at this crossing and two men responsible for maintaining the tracks along here were in their hut nearby. 8 people.