As they say after an airline prang, if some operational improvements occur as a result of the tragedy, then it is not all in vain.
I remember my initial railway safe working tuition many moons ago and how it was drummed into us to CHECK the tokens for single line sections before proceeding.
Mistakes can occur and the results be devastating.
Back in the days when multiple single line sections adjoined therefore there being different section tokens involved.
I also recollect some confusion expressed by train crew when we were inflicted with Train Orders.
With token working, we were used to proceeding into the location to the staff hut to perform the safe working.
But, with Train Orders, you could be authorized only to the Yard Limit Board, if not into that location.
There being TWO yard limit boards did confuse some blokes.
The arrival board and the departure board.
I shuddered at the implications should a crew mistakenly continue into the location to the departure board.
I enjoy reading accident investigation reports as they highlight the potential failures of a system when mistakes are made.
I have found the official Abermule collision report at yer Archive mob.
https://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/do...ermule1921.pdf
I presume that this is the accident BW mentioned.
I will peruse it later off line.
Steve.