Journeys that put lives on the line

GRISLY TRAIN TRAVEL

- by MARC WALKER

NOT getting a seat, missing your train, or services cancelled due to leaves on the line are regular headaches for today’s rail commuters.

But in the early days of train travel, passengers took their lives in their hands with hundreds of grisly casualties recorded on Britain’s first passenger network.

The National Archives has uncovered the North Eastern Railway Company’s accident record book, which has gone on show to mark the 200th anniversary of the UK sparking the world’s rail revolution.

The first locomotive-drawn train service to transport passengers began in the North East in 1825.