Penmanshiel Memorial

[DieselDesires]

I'm not sure if I've spelt that correctly, lol.

I hope the creators of the next ECML stage don't forget to include the memorial for those killed in the tunnel collapse.

For those that don't know about it, the tunnel at Penmanshiel was being worked on when it collapsed at the southern end. It buried a dump truck and a JCB along with it's operators.

This was 17th March 1979. More about this can be read at the following link.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penmanshiel_Tunnel

As a truck driver, I have passed that point countless times and never realised there was even a tunnel there at one time. I will be sure next time I pass to think of those that died.

 

[napierdeltic]

Very nice thought.

The version we are building at the moment is with the tunnel in place as the route is based on around 1976. Would like to do a modern version of the route so if any helpers would like to help when the time comes then yes be a very good idea to put the memorial there.

I was only going through the tunnel a few days before the accident with Ballymoss and filmed up to the tunnel mouth working wrong line. You can see clearly in the winter where both mouths are if you know where to look. I always think of those guys on my trips past on the train. Will be dropping off there later this month in my car to pay my respects before continuing to North Berwick for Deltic 22 to the Kyle.

Regards
Stuart

ECML Project Leader

 

[DieselDesires]

Actually Stuart, I did realise my error after I had posted. 1979 would be a little late for the game route.

The link to the Wiki page has a photo of a class 43 emerging from the southern portal. It was taken 2 days before the accident and it's very spooky to think that the JCB in the picture may be the one in that tunnel. Who knows, maybe the unlucky ones are also in the shot.