GROSVENOR BRIDGE

The Illustrated London News 9th April 1859

In 1859 work began on the first railway bridge to cross over the river Thames, and built by the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway 

Railway accidents on the 

L.B.S.C.R.

from http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk

Chichester on 11th May 1859 

Brighton Driver Stephen Clark & Fireman George Clare 

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Brighton Station on 21st August 1859 

no mention of Enginemen 

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Falmer/Ashcombe 3rd October 1859 

Driver James Jones & Fireman John Oliver. 

Driver, Charles Redding & Fireman Henry Temple depots unknown 

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Petworth Loco Shed 1859-1866

Petworth Locomotive Shed, was built by the Mid-Sussex Railway and opened on 10th October 1859, by the . The shed was a timber built one track straight shed. The had one locomotive, a Sharp Brothers single-wheeler No 79 built in 1847.

The shed was closed in on the 15^th October 1866 with the opening of the new L.B.S.C.R shed at Midhurst. The shed was dismantled and later  re-erected at Hayling Island in 1867

Railway accidents on the 

L.B.S.C.R.

Petworth 22nd October 1859

THE PETWORTH FLYER

Saturday 22nd October 1859

PAINTING BY STAN HIDER

On the evening of Friday 21^st October, 1859, 'Sharp Brothers Singles'  engine No. 79 was left standing in Petworth Loco Shed. At 3 a.m. on the following morning of Saturday 22nd October, the fire was put in and the cleaner started cleaning the engine. Some two hours later the cleaner asked the fireman to move the engine so he could gain access to clean the spokes hidden under the framing. What neither the cleaner or the fireman knew was the engine was in forward gear with regulator slightly open, and as they proceed to the engine, the engine began to move off and slowly gathered speed and slowly disappearing out of the yard to towards Horsham. During the journey of 17 ½ miles, the runaway engine crashed through four sets of level crossing gates, at Hardham, Cray Lane, Aversane and Billinghurst. 

Sometime later was only stopped by a cleaner at Horsham Shed was walking in to work along the track when he became aware of the engine approaching. He observed debris on the front buffer beam, and with the engine slowing down owing to the up hill gradient. The cleaner was able to mount the footplate after a chase. 

The directors awarded the Horsham cleaner with the sum of £3 and immediate promotion to fireman at Horsham. What fete laid awaiting for the Petworth cleaner and fireman is not known

Railway accidents on the 

L.B.S.C.R.

Beddingham Level Crossing 29th November 1859