MEET THE AUTHOR

PHYLLIDA SCRIVENS discusses The Great Thorpe Railway Disaster 1874 about a head-on train collision in Norfolk

What inspired you to write the book?

I happen to live in Thorpe St Andrew, which is the site of the great Thorpe railway accident of 1874. I’ve lived here for 17 years, having moved up from Surrey. I’ve always been fascinated by local history in particular. Years ago I went to a lecture about the accident at a local-history group and I was intrigued, particularly when I realised that from my decking I can see the pub that was used as a morgue on the night of the disaster. I can hear and see those trains running across the River Yare directly opposite my house. As I began to think about it more, I realised that this was something I wanted to know more about. But I had to put it on hold because I then got the chance to do a Masters in biography at the University of East Anglia and I got sidetracked into my first two books.

How did you research the book?

Armed with a list of the victims, I was able to start work using traditional family history techniques, then moved on to the British Newspaper Archive ( britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk), which was absolutely invaluable, and then local-history books – never underestimate the value of local historians. I was finding out where those people came from, and looking to see if anyone had written books about the area. Some of the victims were detailed in the books, which was a joy.

So I then had lots of information about each of the individuals, and was able to put the jigsaw together. Some of the poorer classes who were travelling on the train that night were more difficult to find out about individually, although I did manage to research them eventually.

What was it like to find out more about the people who were caught up in the disaster?

I’d like to think that we’re honouring the dead by getting their stories out there, so they can be resurrected almost. But I also look at the doctors, the people who came out to help at the wreckage, and the railwaymen involved who were put up on a manslaughter charge.

Was there anyone you researched who you found particularly interesting?

A lady called Ellen Ramsdale. She was 18 years old and had to have her leg amputated at the site of the accident. Since the book came out, I’ve heard from descendants of her sister. I’m hoping that more people will read the book and they’ll think, “Hang on, my ancestor was in Norfolk and their death was around that time – maybe they were on board one of the trains.”

• If you have more information about any of the people who were involved in the accident, please contact Phyllida via the form on her website at thegreatthorperailwaydisaster1874.com.