Linda's Leap
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On 5th September 1962 Linda derailed rather spectacularly above Cutting Budr at Squirrel Crossing. The event/location has since become known as Linda's Leap.
Linda, still without a tender, was coupled ahead of Prince which was hauling the 2.15 pm departure from Portmadoc. The remains of an occupation crossing slewed the locomotive around and it left the track, being prevented from falling off the formation by the coupling with Prince. Prince's leading wheels were lifted off the track. A passenger thrown from her seat in the quarryman's coach was bruised and shocked but there were no other injuries. The train was collected by Earl of Merioneth and returned but the remainder of the service was suspended for the day. Re-railing was completed soon after dark. Linda had some damage, including a broken eccentric strap. The cause was thought to be track wide of gauge and Linda's narrower PQR 1 ft 10.75 inch gauge.[1]
Contrary to regulations, this incident was not reported to the Railway Inspectorate, but they seem to have got wind of it, and also the fact that Linda had been used to haul passenger trains on its own, although no continuous brake had been fitted. This resulted in considerable correspondence, and the FR had to give assurances that it would not happen again.[2]
This event was allegedly the inspiration for the Rev. Wilbert Awdry's story Bulldog in Duke the Lost Engine.[3]
The story is related with more detail and pictures in Heritage Group Journal.[4]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Johnson, Peter (2004). Immortal Rails (Vol 1) The Story of the Closure and Revival of the FR 1939-1983. Chester, England, CH4 9ZH: RailRomances. ISBN 1-900622-08-4. OCLC 56654167.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link) , pp 180 - ^ Johnson, Peter (2004). Immortal Rails (Vol 1) The Story of the Closure and Revival of the FR 1939-1983. Chester, England, CH4 9ZH: RailRomances. ISBN 1-900622-08-4. OCLC 56654167.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link) , pp 132 - 136 - ^ Page external link about the real events behind Rev. Awdry's stories (see book 25, story 2 near the bottom).
- ^ Chris Hoskin "Linda's Leap", Festiniog Railway Heritage Group Journal, Issue 154, page(s): 18-28