| Re: Is it the "6 foot" or the "4 foot 9 inches'? Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 22:00, 6th October 2026 |     |
I have updated the definition of 'OCR' in our Coffee Shop forum's Abbreviations & Acronyms page.
CfN.
| Is it the "6 foot" or the "4 foot 9 inches'? Posted by grahame at 21:18, 6th October 2026 | |
An accident report from 7th October 1854, where a passenger in one train - travelling in a good vehicle designed for use on railways with a 6 foot gap - was killed by a door on a passing train swinging open and fouling the second train. The report at https://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/BoT_Felling1854.pdf is scanned and of low quality for accurate OCR, but you will get the gist of it
I am Council for Trade to transmit to you the enclosed copy of the report of the okccr appointed d by their Lordships to inquire into the circumstances attending the fatal accident that occurred on the 7th ultimo to a third class passenger on the North Eastern Railway.
My Lords desire mc to point out that it would appear that this accident maybe traced to the fact that, notwithstanding that the space t)between adjacent lines of way upon the North Eastern Railway is considerably less than that usually allowed on other lines, carriages belonging to other railway Companies much wider than those which the lmc was originally intended to receive, are allowed to travel upon it.
My Lords desire mc to point out that it would appear that this accident maybe traced to the fact that, notwithstanding that the space t)between adjacent lines of way upon the North Eastern Railway is considerably less than that usually allowed on other lines, carriages belonging to other railway Companies much wider than those which the lmc was originally intended to receive, are allowed to travel upon it.
This poor man's life would probably have been saved if he had been riding in a roofed carriage, or if there were sufficient room between the carriages on separate lines of rails, to allow of a door swinging freely between them.
The blow which inflicted the damage that was done on this occasion to the Great Northern van, might still more easily have killed one or more passengers looking from the windows of the express train ; and I cannot, therefore, avoid remarking upon the danger that seems to exist, as long as carriages adapted for an intermediate space of six feet, are used on a line where the intermediate space is only 4' 9", and without any special means of protection being employed.
I fear that any recommendation as to the widening of the gauge would be of but little avail, on account of the difficulties that would necessarily attend such an operation ; I shall therefore not. do nlore than express, for the Company's consideration, a hope that open carriages may not be used, that the rolling stock of the company used on this line may be suited to the circumstances of the case, and that such regulations may bc made, as to the ac!inission of rolling stock from other lincs, and from the lines of other companies, on this portion of the North Eastern Railway Company's line, as may bc necessary to ensure the safety of the public.
I would also beg to suggest, for the Company's consideration, that it would be better not to allow passengers, such as the old man" above referred to, to ride in any vehicle but those intended for the conveyance of passengers.
The blow which inflicted the damage that was done on this occasion to the Great Northern van, might still more easily have killed one or more passengers looking from the windows of the express train ; and I cannot, therefore, avoid remarking upon the danger that seems to exist, as long as carriages adapted for an intermediate space of six feet, are used on a line where the intermediate space is only 4' 9", and without any special means of protection being employed.
I fear that any recommendation as to the widening of the gauge would be of but little avail, on account of the difficulties that would necessarily attend such an operation ; I shall therefore not. do nlore than express, for the Company's consideration, a hope that open carriages may not be used, that the rolling stock of the company used on this line may be suited to the circumstances of the case, and that such regulations may bc made, as to the ac!inission of rolling stock from other lincs, and from the lines of other companies, on this portion of the North Eastern Railway Company's line, as may bc necessary to ensure the safety of the public.
I would also beg to suggest, for the Company's consideration, that it would be better not to allow passengers, such as the old man" above referred to, to ride in any vehicle but those intended for the conveyance of passengers.
I have mirrored the report for members at https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/mirror/BoT_Felling1854.pdf
