Cowlairs train collision

On August 1, 1850, three trains were scheduled to arrive in succession at Cowlairs. The first and second trains had arrived at this point, but the second train was parked atop a rail crossover. The train to reverse to clear space, but in doing this, the engineer made no effort to protect the rear of the train or alert the approaching third locomotive.^[2][3]

By the time the third train had approached, it was already too late. The third collided with the rear of the second train, which resulted in the deaths of 5 passengers, including a child. An additional 9 others were injured.^[4]

An official inquiry blamed multiple factors including fault on the railway company for allowing passenger overcrowding, and additional blame on the engineer on the engineer of the second train for failing to send back any signals prior to reversing.^[4]