fully established. The accident occurred in broad daylight and the driver knew the line well. There was no evidence of mechanical failure on the train. The driver and fireman died in the locomotive, so the reason for the excessive speed was never established. Investigators identified several factors that could have contributed to the excessive speed: The train was running late and making up time. There was a gradient to climb after the station which was best approached at full speed. The steam locomotive (like most at the time) was not fitted with a speedometer. The engine was riding roughly, which may have contributed to the driver's misjudging the speed. Consequences Following this accident, lineside speed restriction signs were universally adopted; previously there had been no visual reminder to the driver of speed restrictions on many routes. The Inspector also suggested the use of speed recorders, as in France, but this was not adopted. On 23 January 2016, the 61st anniversary of the crash, a memorial to the victims was unveiled, at Sutton Coldfield station, by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Ray Hassall. Similar accidents Salisbury rail crash - 1906 - Overspeed through sharp curve through station. 28 killed. Morpeth rail crashes - 1969 etc. - Overspeed through sharp curve. Waterfall rail accident - 2003 - overspeed through sharp curve - 7 killed Amagasaki rail crash - 2005 - Overspeed through sharp curve. 107 killed, 562 injured Santiago de Compostela rail disaster - 2013 - Overspeed through sharp curve - 79 killed, 139 injured. See also List of rail accidents in the United Kingdom References External links BBC Page on January 1955 accident The Railways Archive: Accident at Sutton Coldfield Railway accidents and incidents in the West Midlands (county) Railway accidents in 1955 1955 disasters in the United Kingdom 1955 in England 20th century in Warwickshire Sutton Coldfield Disasters in Warwickshire Derailments in England Accidents and incidents involving British Rail January 1955 events in the United Kingdom Rail accidents caused by a driver's error