NEW MAY 2020. On Christmas Eve 1845 the 11.15 am up train from Norwich came off the track when travelling at speed between Harling Road and Thetford. The driver was killed and the fireman died later of his injuries.

The first four pages of this file show the official Board of Trade report into the accident. It ws compiled by General Pasley, the inspector-general of railways.

The next four pages come from 'The Civil Engineer and Architect's Journal, Scientific and Railway Gazette' for February 1846. They refer to the Coroner's inquest held at Thetford on 13 January, describing the strong disagreement there between General Pasley and George Bidder as to the cause of the accident. The editor of the Journal, who did not appear to be a fan of Bidder, weighed in on the General's side. This is followed by a submission from Robert Stephenson to the magazine in support of Mr Bidder.

The final page gives quotes from General Pasley's diary which relate to the incident. These are taken from our file RH001.

The file is word-searchable and has bookmarks to the main sections. It will be available to download as soon as payment has been made. You go to your account and click on ‘Downloads’. New customers create an account as they place their order.