DMU Accidents
DMUs have had their fair share of mishaps through the years and this section is an attempt to document them.
If you have any notes or photographs please submit them to be added here. I would also welcome further information on any of the accidents featured here.
Many of the accident reports are available on-line at www.railwaysarchive.co.uk.
1990s
01/03/90 - Stourbridge Town, LMR
Collision involving Class 121
Info from Rail 22/03/22 p6
The 14:46 Stourbridge Junction - Stourbridge Town worked by 55034 failed to stop on arrival at the terminus, demolishing the buffer stop and bus station retaining wall. The vehicle only suffered minor damage and was recovered on the afternoon of the 2nd.
1/8/90 - Reading, WR
Collision involving Class 119 / EMU
Info from Peter Mullen
A 3-car Class 119 was approaching Reading Station when it ran into two 4-car EMU’s standing at platform 4A. More Details.
22/8/90 - Hyde North Junction, LMR
Collision involving Class 108 / Class 108
Info from Bill Read
Low speed collision of two Class 108 units. M51913-M54497 and M51418-M59688 (Met Cam 101 centre car)-M53977. 28 passengers required hospital treatment. The driver of the twin unit had passed a red signal. M51418 collapsed upon contact with M51913 and suffered extensive cab, underfloor and bogie damage. All the 108 cars suffered some damage and were criticized as being in poor structural condition. The 101 was undamaged.
18/02/91 - Rattery Bank
Fire involving Class 108
W52051 caught fire travelling down Rattery Bank near Totnes, destroying the vehicle.
26/10/91 - Standedge, LMR
Fire involving Class 108
Info from Paul Moxon
977747 (ex-50924) caught fire in Standedge tunnel, while part of a Holbeck to Newton Heath consist on 26/10/91. Picture taken at Diggle 26/1/92. Paul Moxon.
18/02/95 - Wanstead Heath
Collision involving Class 117 / Freight
Info from p151 April 1995 Railway Observer
Class 117 set L722 (51345 + 51387) collided with a freight train at Wanstead Park.
17/11/99 - Near Mossend Yard, ScR
Fire involving Class 101
Class 101 set 101 688 caught fire near Mossend Yard in-between duties at around 5.45am. More Details.