Description
On the 21st of June, 1912, the 2.45 from Rochdale and Liverpool approached the infamous Charlestown curve at about 40 miles per hour and left the line, killing four passengers.
Although off the rails, the train was carried for a further 100 yards "tearing up the rails as if they were wire". The engine ploughed into the embankment on the North side of the cutting.
The first carriage was ripped off its bogies, but stayed upright. The second carriage took most of the impact and was described as "smashed into matchwood". It was in this carriage that the deaths and most of the injuries occurred. The remaining carriages were all damaged with broken windows and splintered floorboards.
For further information see: http://www.hebdenbridgehistory.org.uk/charlestown/events.html