Bradford on Tone - De-railement

It was during the early hours of the 16th May 1991 that a major incident occurred in the Taunton area at Bradford on Tone just south of the automatic barrier crossing. The derailment and subsequent fire occurred when 6C35 23:35 (TThO) Briton Ferry – Heathfield (Newton Abbot) loaded fuel (containing a mixture of petroleum spirt, diesel, and kerosene) derailed at around 04:30 in the morning. All 22 of the loaded Gulf fuel tanks had derailed. The locomotive No.47327 remined on the track and was able to be uncoupled moved forward to a safe position before raising the alarm with Exeter panel box via the in-cab radio. A few of the derailed tanks ruptured leaking their contents, the combination of fuel and vapour ignited causing other tanks to explode causing a major incident for the emergency services. Local families were told to stay in their homes and those living at closer farms were evacuated. The smoke from the fire was visible from 15 miles away. The track was blocked and track circuit information was cut off at the Exeter Power Box. The line remained closed between 16th – 19th May with diversions in place via Castle Cary, Yeovil and Honiton to and from Exeter with road bus connections also linking Tiverton Parkway. As part of the clean-up effort No.47335 was also sent up from Laira with the Laira re-railing train together with heavy road cranes to lift the wagons clear of the line. No.37035 delivered new rails to the site on the ‘down’ line on Sunday 19th May and No.47371 also arrived with a loaded ballast train on the ‘up’ line. No.47098 also delivered a second ballast train to the site last on the Sunday afternoon. On Monday 20th May a single line (up) was reopened at 06:00, later at 18:00 both the down lines had been restored. The centre platforms at Taunton Station were also brought back into use over the Sunday to handle terminating services. The close proximity of the River Tone (reference pollution) and the care for use of oxy-acetylene torches for cutting wagons due to vapour emissions hampered clearance work. British Rail investigators blamed the derailment on a hot axle bearing on one of the wagons which was thought to have caused the train derailment. We have been able to provide a list of BR planned service changes on the 18th May . Thankfully there were not injuries and all parties were thankful the event occurred in the countryside and not Taunton, as the situation could have been far worse had the derailment of occurred in a populated area.

20th May 1991 British Rail large logo Class 47/8 No.47830 passes the Bradford on Tone wreckage site on the 20th May 1991 while observing the 20 MPH speed limit through the crash site. The loco was operating 1V53 09:44 Glasgow Central - Penzance service. (Photo: Richard Giles)

20th May 1991 On the 20th May 1991, four days after the Bradford-on-Tone derailment and fire. Fire Appliances were still present for safety and prevention of further fuel seepage into the river. 19 of the 22 wagons ended up laid near enough side by side in fields. (Photo: Richard Giles)

20th May 1991 On the 20th May 1991 damaged wagons near Bradford-on-Tone. Heatherton Park Farm forms the back drop. (Photo: Richard Giles)

16th May 1991 With a helicopter hovering overhead foam from the derailment scene is whipped into the air causing a foam bath for emergency services in the area at Bradford on Tone. (Photo: Paul Webber)

16th May 1991 Fire Crews and British Rail investigators discuss the clear up operation with wagons on their side at Bradford on Tone on the 16th May 1991. (Photo: Taunton Trains Collection)

16th May 1991 Fire Crews inspect the crash site surrounded in foam having put out the fire from the previous day. (Photo: Paul Webber)

16th May 1991 A servies of TTA fuel tanks (54224 closest to the camera) are pictured on their sides at Bradford on Tone on the 16th May 1991. (Photo: Taunton Trains Collection)

16th May 1991 Fire Crews spray fire retardant foam onto the scene to prevent any further outbreak of fire with from an residual spillage or fuel from within the tanks. (Photo: Paul Webber)

16th May 1991 Local fire crews fight the oil / fuel fire from the Bradford on Tone road crossing on the 16th May 1991 (Photo: Taunton Trains Collection)

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