RHDR crash crews are praised
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has said it will not be investigating a crash in which five passengers were hurt when a train collided with a tractor at a level crossing on the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway on September 10. The collision occurred on a farm occupation crossing half a mile north of Dymchurch station. The locomotive involved was RHDR No. 1 Green Goddess, one of the original Henry Greenly ‘Pacifics’, built along the same lines as Gresley’s ‘A1s’. In a statement, the RAIB said: “The law gives us discretion about whether or not to investigate less serious accidents. “Having assessed the evidence which has been gathered to date, we have decided not to conduct a full investigation, but to publish a safety digest.” It is understood that the tractor was fouling the Up line. According to RHDR Managing Director Danny Martin: “No telephone call had been received from the crossing requesting permission to cross.” The five passengers hurt in the accident did not require hospitalisation. Mr Martin went on to praise Green Goddess’ driver, Zac Clark, as well as the Bar Car attendant, Steve Richards, for helping the stricken passengers to safety. It has been reported that Mr Clark jumped clear of the 4‑6‑2 before impact, and then administered aid as well as ensuring the safety of both locomotive and train. Local media outlets reported that Green Goddess’ boiler was “at risk of exploding” but Mr Martin was quick to refute this. He said: “The boiler was not at risk of exploding. Green Goddess has significant external damage as the tractor was very big. Any shock damage to the boiler will become clear when the engine is stripped. It is likely to take months.” Trains were interrupted on the Hythe‑Dymchurch section of the RHDR for the rest of the day, but services were running normally again the next day. The collision is not the first such incident on the 15in‑gauge line, which suffered two similar accidents in 2003 and 2005, both of which proved fatal.