Fatal Accident: Aberbeeg Railway Station 11th December 1871

On 11th December 1871, James Young Phillips, a train driver working for the Monmouthshire Railway & Canal Company, was killed in an accident at Aberbeeg.

Runaway wagons from a train at Griffin Pit sidings in Blaina had come down the valley and crashed into Mr. Phillips’ train which was taking on water at Aberbeeg junction. Mr. Phillips was killed but the fireman managed to jump to safety.

Efforts to telegraph warnings as the wagons sped down the valley only reached the Station Master at Aberbeeg as they came around the curve at Aberbeeg station and they crashed into Mr. Phillips’ train that had travelled from Newport on its way to Cwmtillery.

We are grateful to Mr. Phillips’ Great Great Grandson, Dave Phillips, for contacting the Heritage Society with this tragic story.

The documents and details have all been provide by Dave Phillips  who would be grateful if someone could provide him with any further information and is particularly interested in any photographs of the station at the time or details of the engine.