The 'Keystone Cops' Snowdon train smash caused by very merry railwaymen
The workers had lingered too long over their pints
In the late 19th Century, Eryri (Snowdonia) was still a railway frontier. Despite its legendary slate rail network, more mountains and valleys awaited conquering.
Two of the most famous of the new routes, on and near Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa), encountered early setbacks. One was disastrous, delaying its opening by a year; the other less so, and was almost comical, having been caused by three drunk railwaymen who lingered too long over their pints.
Board of Trade inquiries were launched into both. The opening day disaster on Snowdon Mountain Railway was blamed on a lack of grip for carriages that were too heavy for the track. As for the unfortunate incident at the Snowdon Ranger station, next to Llyn Cwellyn just below Snowdon?s southern flank, the inquiry was unequivocal: ?intoxication? caused a decoupling and subsequent collision.
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https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/tipsy-railwaymen-who-caused-keystone-25828554