London Tramways - London Tramways - Permanent Way Incidents

Permanent Way Incidents

Reports - 1 - 50, 51 - 99, 100 - 150, 151 - 199, 200 - 249, 250 - 284,

151. On the 15th March 1950 at 12.32 pm a delay of 5 minutes to the Tramway Services occurred at the junction of Westminster Bridge Road and St. Georges Road when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1942 was broken due to the conduit slot slides failing to operate for the curved road. On examination of the points it was found that the tip of Centre Slot Point was resting on the slides and would not allow them to cover the curved conduit. Permanent Way men were sent for lifted and tightened the Centre Slot tongue on the afternoon of the 15th March.

152. On the 17th March 1950 at 12.56 am a delay of 14 minutes to one Tramcar only occurred at the junction of Lewisham Way and Shardeloes Road when the plough carrier or Tramcar No. 1087 was broken due to plough striking hatchway cover that was protruding into the conduit slot. The Night Mobile Gang were transferred from other work and re-set and packed cover during night of 17th/18th March.

153. On the 29th March at 3.42 pm a delay of 6 minutes occurred at the run out road of Clapham Depot when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1768 was broken. On examination of the track it was found that the conduit slot rail was tight to gauge. The Break- down Gang made a temporary repair at the time of occurence and Permanent Way men were transferred from other work and broke out the paving and re-gauged slot rail during the afternoon of the 29th March.

154. On the 7th April 1950 at 3.56 pm a delay of 19 minutes occurred at the curve Stanstead Road and Sunderland Road Forest Hill when the rear bogie of Tramcar No.341 was derailed. On examination of the curve it was found to be slightly wide to gauge at a rail joint coupled with the groove of rail being full of sand and grit. The rail groove was cleaned out on the 7th April and the paving removed and track re-gauged on the 13th April.

155. On the 7th April 1950 at 10.35 pm a delay of 15 minutes occurred at the facing points at the junction of Kennington Park Road and Kennington Road up track owing to the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 2144 being broken due to the tip of centre slot rail fracturing and allowing the broken piece to obstruct the free passage of the plough on the curved road. The Night Mobile Gang were transferred from other work and renewed the centre slot point on the night of 7th /8th April.

156. On the 12th April 1950 at 9.50 am a delay of 25 minutes to the Tramway Services occurred at the junction of Roseberry Avenue and St. John Street, when the rear bogie of Tramcar No. 1975 was derailed. A Permanent Way Gang was removing paving at the time of the occurrence and owing to the carriageway being tight for vehicles to pass between the open excavation and kerb a few stone set were placed in the clearway and the rear life guard caught the sets and derailed the Tramcar.

157. On the 13th April 1950 at 3.36 pm a delay of 14 minutes occurred at the Change pit Effra Road when the rear bogie of Tramcar No. 1398 was derailed. On examination of the castings forming the change point it was found that the facing insert was loose and slight movement was taking place as Tramcars passed over. A temporary repair was carried out by Permanent Way Gang after the incident and the insert was re-set and tightened by welding crew on the night of 13th/14th April.

158. On the 14th April 1950 at 1.32 pm a delay of 6 minutes to the Tramway Services occurred on the Victoria Embankment opposite Charing Cross Pier when Permanent Way Gang were installing a rail closure to cut out a broken rail joint. When the closure was being placed in track it was found that the bottom flange was slightly over cut and would not allow rail to fit in position. There was no damage to Rolling Stock owing to this incident.

159. On the 18th April 1950 at 5.32 pm a delay of 9 minutes occurred at London Road Southwark opposite No.88 when the lifeguard tray of Tramcar No. 1974 was broken owing to striking high stone sets. The Breakdown Gang removed the high sets at the time of occurrence and Permanent Way Gang repaved during the evening of the 18th April

160. On the 25th April 1950 at 5.03 pm a delay of 13 minutes occurred at the junction of Camberwell New Road and Brixton Road when the plough carrier of tramcar No. 1579 was broken. On examination of the track it was found that the wing crossing forming part of the right hand single junction was loose on the yokes and movement was taking place when the Tramcars passed over. The Permanent Way Mobile Gang were transferred from other work and removed paving and tightened castings during the evening of the 25th April.

161. On the 29th April 1950 at 7.50 pm a delay of 14 minutes occurred on the down track at Loampit Vale when the rear bogie of Tramcar No. 1568 was derailed. The paving at the site of this incident had been removed for the re-railing of worn rails, the check rail broke away as car passed over and the rear bogie derailed. The Mobile Gang were transferred from other work and fixed a temporary check rail and the rails were renewed on the night of the 29th/30th April.

162. On the 2nd May 1950 at 9.3 am a delay of 5 minutes occurred at Blackfriars Road near Stamford Street when the magnets of Tramcar No. 1612 were twisted due to striking high stone set paving. On examination of the track it was found that a few stone sets were high against the head of the running rail owing to rail movement taking place. Permanent Way men were sent and lowered the high paving shortly after the occurrence.

163. On the 5th May 1950 at 5.52 am a delay of 18 minutes occurred at the junction of Battersea Park Road and Falcon Road when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1959 was broken. On examination of The Special Work Castings forming The Diamond Crossing it was found that the intersection of the conduit slot was slightly out of alignment, Permanent Way men were sent for and removed the paving tightened and re-gauged the castings during the morning of the 5th May.

164. On the 5th May 1950 at 10.28 am a delay of 27 minutes occurred to the Tramway Services at Nine Elms Lane opposite the Rifleman Public House Owing to the conduit slot rail fracturing and the broken piece bending down into the conduit. The Breakdown Gang made a temporary repair at the time of occurrence and Permanent Way Gang were sent for and cut out broken slot rail and installed a slot rail closure during the morning of the 5th May. There was no damage to rolling stock owing to this occurrence.

165. On the 8th May 1950 at 7.55 pm a delay of 10 minutes occurred at the Crossover Westbourne Park Forest Hill owing to the plough of Tramcar No. 1855 leaving the carrier when car was turning from down to up track. On examination of the points it was found that whilst the track switches pulled over for the curved road the conduit slot slides failed to operate. On lifting the mechanism covers it was discovered that the short connecting rod had broken. A new connecting rod was installed by the Night Point Adjusters during the night of 8th/9th May.

166. On the 9th May 1950 at 9.26 am a delay of 17 minutes occurred at the crossover Old Kent Road near Dunton Road when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1494 was broken. On inspection of the track it was found that a tie-rod nut had worked loose and was protruding into the conduit. The Breakdown Gang removed the nut at the time of occurrence and Permanent Way men were sent for and removed the paving and renewed the tie-rod during the 9th May.

167. On the 9th May 1950 at 9.58am a delay of 14 minutes occurred on the up track at Brixton Hill near Water Lane when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 2094 was broken due to plough striking a hatchway co er. On examination of the plough hatch it was found that that the packing had worked out and allowed the hatch cover to move forward into the conduit. New packing was installed during the morning of the 9th May.

168. On the 12th May 1950 at 1.50 am a delay of 20 minutes occurred at the junction of Newington Butts and Short Street when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 2098 was broken due to plough striking a conduit slot rail joint which was slightly out of alignment. The Night Mobile Gang were transferred from other work and removed the paving and re-gauged slot rail during the night of 12th/13th May.

169. On the 13th May 1950 at 12.30 pm a delay of 33 minutes to one Tramcar only occurred at the turnout at Southwark Bridge Terminus due to the magnets of Tramcar No. 1894 being twisted and wedged in the groove of point housing. The points and Special Work castings were worn and scheduled for renewal during 1950. A Gang was transferred from another district and renewed points and castings during the week ending 20th May

170. On the 16th May 1950 at 2.40 am a delay of 20 minutes occurred at St. Georges Circus on the Diamond crossing of junction with Westminster Bridge Road and Waterloo Road when the plough of Tramcar No. 1566 left the carrier. On examination of the Special Work Castings it was found that the intersection of the conduit was slightly out of alignment. Permanent Way Night men working in the vicinity were sent for and removed the paving and re-gauged the castings during the morning of the 16th May.

171. On the 20th May 1950 at 11.32 pm a delay of 62 minutes occurred at the crossover Newington Causeway near The Elephant and Castle when the magnets of Tramcar No. 1391 were twisted and carrier broken. On examination of the track it was found that a rail had fractured and the broken piece lifted as the Tramcar passed over. A temporary repair by means of plating and welding was carried out during the might of 20th/21st and the rail was renewed on the night of 24th/25th May.

172. On the 25th May 1950 at 11.8 am a delay of 10 minutes occurred at Wandsworth Road opposite Wandsworth Town Station when the magnets of Tramcar No. 1593 were twisted due to check rail breaking and lifting as Tramcar passed over. The Breakdown Gang removed the broken check rail at the time of occurrence and Permanent Way Gang installed false check plate during the afternoon of the 25th May 1950.

173. On the 26th May 1950 at 7.42 am a delay of 20 minutes occurred to the Tramway Services at the Trafalgar Road Crossover down track opposite Hoskin Street when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 557 was broken. On inspection of the crossover it was found that the slot leg of the Wing Crossing had fractured and the broken piece was protruding into the conduit. A temporary repair was carried out by means of plating and welding shortly after the occurrence and a new Wing Crossing was installed on Saturday night the 27th May.

174. On the 27th May 1950 at 4.22 pm a delay of 13 minutes occurred at Wandsworth Road opposite the Gas Works when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1927 was broken. On inspection of the track it was found that the running rail had fractured at the joint and the broken piece lifted as the Tramcar passed Over. A temporary repair by means of welding was carried out on the 27th May and a rail closure installed on the night of 28th/29th May.

175. On the 4th June 1950 at 12noon a delay of 8 minutes occurred at the turnout opposite Clarks Passage Wandsworth Road when the plough of Tramcar No. 207 left the carrier due to the welding on track over slot insert breaking away. A permanent Way Welder was transferred from other work and re-welded insert during the afternoon of the 4th June.

176. On the 6th June 1950 at 4.5 pm a delay of 10 minutes occurred at the crossover opposite Fairlawn Mansions New Cross Road when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 961 was broken when turning from up to down tracks. On examination of the crossover it was found that the conduit slot rail was slightly tight to gauge on the curved road. Permanent Way Mobile Gang were transferred from other work and removed paving and re-gauged slot rail during the evening of the 10th June.

177. On the 16th June 1950 at 4.10am a delay of 25 minutes to one Tramcar only occurred at Peckham Road opposite The Art Gallery when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1317 was broken due to a Permanent Way bolt being in the conduit slot rail. Permanent Way Night Gang were renewing rails on the opposite track at the of the incident.

178. On the 19th June 1950 at 5.13am a delay of 8 minutes occurred to the Tramway Services at Woolwich Church Street owing to Permanent Way Night Gang renewing a curved rail. The Gang had been delayed during the night owing to heavy rain and were installing rail when the delayed occurred. There was no damage to Rolling Stock due to this incident.

179. On the 13th June 1950 at 1.15am a delay of 50 minutes occurred at the crossover Peckham High Street opposite Rye Lane when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1628 was broken when the car was turning from up to down track. On examination of the crossover it was found that the slot rail joint on the curved road was slightly out of alignment. The Permanent Way Mobile Gang were transferred from other work and removed paving and re-gauged slot rail during early morning of the 18th June.

180. On the 20th June 1950 at 3.30am the Sand van was delayed for 50 minutes due to being derailed at the crossover opposite the Town Hall Peckham Road. On examination of the crossover it was found that the rail joint at the toe of the joints had fractured and the broken piece lifted as the Van passed over. Permanent Way Welder was transferred from other work and repaired rail by means of plating during the early morning of the 20th June.

181. On the 20th June 1950 at 6.36am a delay of 10 minutes occurred at Greek Road Creek Bridge on the up track when the life guard tray of Tramcar No. 1270 was broken due to striking high stone set paving. On examination of the track it was found that a few stone sets at time of occurrence had lifted owing to rail movement. The Breakdown Gang lowered the stone sets at time of occurrence and Permanent Way men were sent and tightened rail and repaved during the morning of the 20th June.

182. On the 21st June 1950 at 5.06am a delay of 9 minutes occurred at Brixton Road near Kennington Park when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 2160 was broken. Permanent Way Night Gang were renewing rails on the opposite track and whilst a Labourer was wheeling stones to the job one of the sets fell off the barrow and the leg of the plough carrier caught same when passing.

183. On the 24th June 1950 at 7.32am a delay of 16 minutes occurred at the crossover opposite No. 9 Camberwell Green when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1984 was broken when the Tramcar was turning from down to up track. On examination of trie point mechanism it was found that the conduit slot slide had fractured and the broken piece prevented the free passage of the plough through the curved section of the conduit. A new slot slide was installed by the Point Adjusters during the morning of the 24th June.

184. On the 26th June 1950 at 1.10pm a delay of 13 minutes occurred to the Tramway Services at the junction of Coldharbour Lane and Herne Hill Road when the rear bogie of Tramcar No. 1352 was derailed due to the points failing to operate correctly. On examination it was found that the long connecting rod had pulled out of the forked end and did not allow point tongues to go completely over for the curved road. A new long rod was installed by the Point Adjusters during the afternoon of the 26th June.

185. On the 27th June 1950 at 7.03am a delay of 14 minutes occurred at the entrance to Clapham Depot when the magnets of Tramcar No. 2153 were twisted. On examination of the Jpecial Work Castings it was found that a track over slot insert was loose in its housing and lifted as the Tramcar passed over to enter the Depot. The Permanent Way Welder was sent and re-set and renewed the keys of the insert during the night of 27th/28th June.

186. On the 29th June 1950 at 2.10 am a delay of 15 minutes occurred to one Tramcar only when the plough carrier of Tramcar Mo. 2013?(2103?) was broken at Blackfriars Road opposite The Cross Keys Public House due to a plough hatch cover being loose and protruding into the conduit slot. On examination of the plough hatch it was found to be one of the oldest patterns and the packing had worked out and allowed the cover to move forward into the conduit. The cover was re-set and new packing fitted by the Night Mobile Gang during the early morning of the 29th June.

187. On the 1st July 1950 at 9.45am a delay of 5 minutes occurred and again at 3.59pa a delay of 25 minutes occurred on the sharp curve from Victoria Embankment to Westminster Bridge when the rear trucks of Tramcars No.1007 and 1785 were derailed* An inspection of the track was made after the first derailment and although the head rail was slightly worn in places the Tramcars were running round the curve smoothly. It was noticed that an occasional car with worn pony wheels and a stiff rear bogie was inclined to lift as car passed round the curve. Arrangements were made prior to the second incident for some welding work to be carried out when the Tramway Services slackened. The welding of the head rail was carried out during the night of the 1st July and 2nd July.

188. On the 6th July 1950 at 3.20am a delay of 45 minutes to one Tramcar only occurred at the junction of Brixton Road and Kennington Park Road when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1314 was broken. Single line working was in operation at the time of the occurrence and on inspection of the Diamond Crossing of the junction it was found that the intersection of the conduit was slightly out of alignment for reverse running. The Night mobile Gang were transferred from other work and removed the paving and re-gauged castings during the early morning of the 6th July.

189. On the 8th July 1950 at 5.20pm a delay of 18 minutes occurred to the Tramway Services on The Victoria Embankment at the crossover opposite Scotland Yard when the rear bogie of Tramcar No. 1782 was derailed while the Tramcar was turning from up to down track. On examination of the track it was fouhd that the check rail joint on the curved road was out of alignment. The Night Welding crew re-gauged check rail joint and surface welded track joint during the night of 8th/9th July.

190. On the 15th July 1950 at 2.19pm a delay of 20 minutes occurred at the entrance to Brixton Hill Car Shed when Tramcar No. 2082 was derailed owing to the points failing to operate correctly for the curved road. On examination of the point mechanism it was found that the connecting rod had broken and did not allow points to go over to cover the curved road. A new connecting rod was installed by The Section Point Adjusters shortly after the occurrence.

191. On the 18th July 1950 at 6.44am a delay of 14 minutes occurred at the junction of Clapham Park Road and Clapham High Street when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1838 was broken due to a tie-rod nut slackening back and protruding into the conduit. The Breakdown Gang removed the nut at the time of the occurrence and Permanent Way men were sent for and removed the paving and renewed the tie-rod during the 18th July.

192. On the 3rd August 1950 at 13.12am a delay of 15 minutes occurred to the Tramway Services at the High Street entrance to Clapham Depot when the magnets of Tramcar No. 1784 were twisted. On inspection of the track it was found that the toe of the offside point of the single junction had fractured at the toe and the broken piece lifted as the Tramcar passed over. A repair by means of plating and welding was carried out shortly after the occurrence.

193. On the 4th August 1950 at 6.23pm a delay of 10 minutes occurred at the crossover near Wandsworth Town Station when the plough of Tramcar No. 1923 left the carrier owing to the conduit slot slides failing to operate when the Tramcar was turning from down to up track. On examination of the point mechanism it was found that the short connecting rod had broken and did not allow the slides to move over and cover the straight conduit when the track points were set for the curved road. The Point Adjusters on duty at the Elephant and Castle were sent for and renewed the short connecting rod during the evening of the 4th August.

194 At 4.11 pm on the 7th August 1950 Tramcar No. 1529 of New Cross Depot became derailed at the foot of Southwark Bridge Down Track mounting the pavement and knocking down a concrete lamp standard.

195. On the 8th August 1950 at 5.45pm a delay of 15 minutes occurred on the up track in Tooley Street opposite Tanner Street owing to the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 570 being broken. On inspection of the track it was found that the joint of the conduit slot was slightly out of alignment and the plough caught same when passing. The Mobile Gang were transferred from other work and removed paving and re-gauged slot joint during the evening of the 8th August.

196. On the 16th August 1950 at 7.14am a delay of 9 minutes occurred at the facing points of junction from Lewisham Way to Malpas Road when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1503 was broken due to striking an obstruction in the conduit slot. On examination of the conduit it was found that one of the side bolts of the Centre Slot Point had worked loose and moved forward into the conduit. The Breakdown Gang removed the bolt by means of burning at the time of occurrence and The Permanent Way Mobile Gang were sent for and removed the paving and renewed the bolt during the morning of the 16th August.

197. At 5.39pm on the 24th August Tramcar No. 1391 became derailed at the junction of Brixton Road and Stockwell Road whereby injury was sustained to four pedestrians.

198. On the 31st August 1950at 6.58am a delay of 27 minutes occurred at Lewisham Way opposite the Marquis of Granby Public House when the plough carrier of Tramcar No?. 1613 was broken due to plough striking an obstruction in the conduit slot. On examination of the slot it was found that a paving retaining plate had dropped from its position and was protruding into the conduit. The paving was removed by The Breakdown Gang at the time of the occurrence and a new paving plate clip and hanger renewed by Permanent Way Gang during the morning of the 31st August.

199. On the 31st August 1950 at 4.l2pm a delay of 26 minutes occurred to the Tramway Services at the junction of Brixton Road and Camberwell New Road when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1422 was broken. On examination of the Special Work Castings forming the Diamond Crossing it was found that the intersection of the conduit slots was slightly out of alignment. Permanent Way Mobile Gang were transferred from other work and re-gauged slots during the evening of the 31st August.

Reports - 1 - 50, 51 - 99, 100 - 150, 151 - 199, 200 - 249, 250 - 284,

London Tramway Notes
Search for Photographs