Timeline Date Period

Southern Railway (India) created as the first zone of Indian Railways by merger of South Indian Railway, Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway and Mysore State Railway.

Great Western Railway’s Castle Class “Bristol Castle” (7013) substitutes for “Windsor Castle” (4082) on King George VI ‘s funeral train, bearing 4082’s nameplates etc, which were never returned to the actual locomotive.

A £350,000 order from the National Coal Board for steam locomotives has been secured by the Hunslet Engine Co. Ltd., of Leeds. The locomotives are for shunting and marshalling at pitheads. The contract will spread over five years, and during the period the company will be working on
a previous order from the N.C.B. for 12 locomotives and another order for 14 from the Ministry of Supply.

Accident at Harrow and Wealdstone (112 deaths).

British Transport Commission produces a report on Modernisation and Re-Equipment of British Railways which proposes the large-scale replacement of the steam locomotive by diesel and electrification together with major resignalling projects.

Sutton Coldfield train disaster, England: a passenger train rounds a sharp curve too fast and derails; 17 people die as a result.

British Rail abolishes Third Class coaches on trains.

British Rail announces a £16.5 million loss in 1956.

Accident at Lewisham (90 fatalities. 176 injured).

Fog brings transport chaos Dense fog - the worst for seven years - has brought road, rail and air transport in many parts of England and Wales to a virtual standstill. Many long-distance trains from London were cancelled. Suburban services were also seriously disrupted.

British Rail given the go ahead to raise fares by 50%.