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Cowan Rail AcidentPrint Page 
The plaque commemorates those who died in a crash involving two trains in May 1990, and also those who were involved in the rescue work.
The accident occurred at 7:20pm on 6 May 1990 when the 3801 Limited steam passenger train returning from the Morpeth Jazz Festival was struck in the rear by the following City Rail inter-urban passenger service. The steam train had stalled while attempting to climb the steep gradient from the Hawkesbury River to Cowan, and it was found that sand applied to the rails to regain traction had interfered with the signals and given the City Rail train a false clear indication.
The impact killed the driver of the City Rail train, Gordon Hill, and a passenger who was riding in the inter-urban's cab, as well as four passengers in the rear carriage of the 3801 train. 99 passengers were injured, 11 of those seriously. The force of the crash completely destroyed the last carriage of the steam train, and was enough to break the locomotive coupling and push the engine 12 metres forward.
Location
| Address: | Brooklyn Road, Cowan Bank, Boronia No. 3 Tunnel, Brooklyn, 2083 |
|---|---|
| State: | NSW |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -33.552921 Long: 151.196902 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Plaque |
|---|---|
| Monument Theme: | Disaster |
| Sub-Theme: | Land Transport |
| Actual Event Start Date: | 06-May-1990 |
| Actual Event End Date: | 06-May-1990 |
Dedication
At this site on 6 May 1990 a fatal collision occured involving an Intercity Express and an excursion train hauled by historic locomotive 3801
This plaque acknowledges the efforts of all who took part in the rescue work and commemorates the people who perished in the accident
State Rail Authority of New South Wales
3801 Limited
