1930s Accident at Ongar

In 1934 a J15 locomotive, 7902, crashed into the bufferstops at the end of the line in Ongar. 

A down goods was observed by the signalman approaching out of control. He diverted it on to the run-round loop and the embankment beyond the stops proved an effective drag. The driver and fireman jumped from the footplate.  No harm was done except for minor injuries to one of the footplate crew.

Some photos of the stricken locomotive and subsequent recovery using the crane from Stratford depot are below, courtesy of John Heginbotham whose father was a driver on the line at the time. 

J15 loco 7902 after the accident at Ongar

The recovery operation with the Stratford crane

The recovery operation with the Stratford crane