This cache has been placed courtesy of the Lake Goldsmith Goods Shed Museum.
Please check for muggles, particularly on the train platform across the track, and return later if there is danger of you being watched.
Beaufort … 5 February 1910 ...
A light engine was standing at Beaufort Station.
Coming from Stawell in the west was a double engine goods train, pulling 35 trucks of wheat. As it decended down the 4km decline into town, it lost its brakes and hurtled out of control towards the station.
The Signalman at Beaufort Station was able to divert the runaway train to a dead-end siding, however its speed was so great that it crashed through the buffers. The leading locomotive derailed and the second locomotive slammed into the back of it.
Sadly three people died in this crash – the driver of the leading locomotive, the fireman of the first locomotive and the fireman of the second locomotive. The driver of the second locomotive survived but was badly injured.
Improved repair practices and inspections at Victorian Railways were as a result of this disaster.
Images below sourced from Public Record Office Victoria
