On the 12th February 1926, the Eccles and Patricroft Journal reported: “A serious and rather spectacular railway smash took place early yesterday morning at Roe Green, Worsley, but though the material damage was very considerable, there was happily neither loss of life nor injury.” A brake van with eight carriages attached broke loose from its engine while shunting was in place, and careered down a steep gradient towards Monton. A contingency plan sent it into a side loop from the main railway – sadly, given the speed it was travelling, it broke through the barriers at the end of the loop and careered into a bridge over the track, before bursting into flames. As part of our local history studies, our Prep VI students have looked at the rise and fall of Worsley railway station, but were also excited to find out that Roe Green had been the scene of the above-described crash back in 1926 and so had studied the causes and aftermath of that also. Somewhat more excitedly, the children discovered that the contents of the carriages that crashed contained – according to whichever report we read – wellington boots, barrels of vinegar and cases of Daddies Sauce.
As today was the centenary of the crash, the children decided we should celebrate and acknowledge this key local event. We visited the disused station on what is now the Loopline, trying to imagine what it could have looked like with the steam and diesel locomotives travelling through before its closure in May 1969. We created our own tableaus of waiting passengers. We then continued along the Loopline to the site of the crash where, in commemoration of the contents of the carriages that we spilled at the time, we spilled a ‘donation’ of Daddies Sauce and vinegar to mark this auspicious occasion.
The rain did its best to dampen our spirits, and we were slightly soggy upon our return to school, but the children enjoyed being out in the fresh air and we do now feel we have played our part in marking the 100th anniversary of this somewhat forgotten but dramatic local event .
I enjoyed this walk a lot ,it was a very wet and historical walk where we got to take in Worsley’s greenery .It was 100 years on the 11th of February 2026 and we celebrated sprinkling Daddie’s sauce and vinegar as that was what the carriages were carrying when they smashed into the bridge.
I enjoyed it, although it was raining heavily I loved walking along to the sight where we celebrated 100 years after Worsley train crash by pouring daddy;s sauce and vinegar at the exact place where it happend. We got to explore, but not for long because by this time we were all drenched and cold so we eventually walked back to the classroom, It was wet but enjoyable I would do it again next year thank you for taking us on this trip.
William Rotheram.
I loved the the loop-line even after about 100 years there was still some benches and still had the platforms. The walk was nice but we all had got drenched (which wasn’t very comfortable) We even went and say where the train had crashed even though there wasn’t much left of the crash (as expected) but overall the trip was great (but not the weather)
I really enjoyed the woods i thought it was really fun everyone got DRENCHED it was really fun getting soaked in the rain I loved it then we went to Worsley station and did pretend acting of what people would do 100 years ago then we went to the crash site where the trains collided and saw alot of coll stuff Miss Tunny came Mr Rooney and Mr Suter
Victor Kindon prep 6
it was quite fun remembering the crash but it was really rainy and i got drenched ! and the sauce looked awful!. I also enjoyed seeing the graffiti and seeing victor get drenched by a shower of water. but overall i really enjoyed it
by Casey Knight
I loved the forest and I learnt lots of facts about Worsley Station but it was muddy and wet but is was worth it and on the walk we even stopped of at where the train crashed
Noah Ciubotariu
This was a thrilling experience and it was so crazy that 100 years ago we would have been standing the train tracks. On the way back we got absolutely drenched because of all the rain.This so fun and I would do it all again.
Lucie Prep six
The crash site didn’t really have much left but it was still incredibly interesting how so much was still left after 100 years. I really enjoyed it and I hope we can do it again. I learned that the crash spilled some Daddies sause and some vinegar.
This was so crazy, how the Worsley loop line use to be train rails and the platforms we were standing on, was used for real people to wait for trains. The transformation is unbelievable, now the ” railway ” is full of trees either side of it and it is just a lovely path. Sadly whilst we were out, we got DRENCHED even though the forecast said there was only a light drizzle. I love learning about history, especially this topic about the rail crash.
-Poppy Boyes Prep 6
I really enjoyed this adventure into the loopline to discover where the train had crashed, even though it was raining we all powered through and me and Amelie were having so much fun pretending to be a train chugging along the tracks. Eventhough I got wet this was really fun and enjoyable!
Carly
Prep 6
I really enjoyed this walk it was very tiring but very good. I really enjoyed reenacting the railway scene at the railway station and then having to stand still and keep our positions. I actually cannot believe it has been 100 years since the roe green railway crash. Overall, this trip was amazing. Thank you for this opportunity.
Elijah Griffiths Prep 6