fourth and fifth coaches. All the fatalities and most of the injuries occurred in these four sleeping cars. Every vehicle on the train was derailed except the last. The inquiry noted that casualties would have been much higher if not for the lightly loaded nature of the train (there were fewer than 100 passengers on board). Over of track was destroyed along with three lineside electrification gantries, as well as severe damage to an overhead road bridge, numerous items of trackside equipment, and the locomotive of a passing freight train (Class 25 number 25286), which was damaged by falling overhead line equipment. The Inquiry The inquiry, conducted by Major C.F. Rose, found the accident to be due to the following causes: The advance warning board was not illuminated because the gas lighting equipment had been set up incorrectly, and had gone out some time between 01:10 and 01:40. The lights had gone out because the gas cylinder supplying it had run empty; the equipment had two gas cylinders, and included a valve which would allow the gas supply to automatically switch from one cylinder to the other when one was empty, but this valve was not being used. A number of drivers on preceding trains noticed that the lights had gone out, but did not stop and report it as they should have done according to the rules. Although he claimed otherwise, it was thought likely that McKay, in his haste to make up lost time, forgot about the speed restriction without the reminder of the warning board. McKay was later charged with manslaughter but found not guilty after a trial the following year. A number of recommendations to prevent a recurrence of the accident were accepted by the British Railways Board, the main one being the installation of temporary Automatic Warning System magnets at speed restriction locations to ensure that drivers were given audible notice of speed restrictions. Memorial A plaque commemorating the victims of the crash, as well as the actions of emergency services personnel, was unveiled at Nuneaton station in August 2015. References External links Nuneaton Rail Crash - nuneatonhistory.com - Archive photographs. A short film recording the aftermath of the tragic train crash that occurred at 1.55am on 6 June 1975. Railway accidents and incidents in Warwickshire History of Warwickshire Railway accidents in 1975 1975 in England Nuneaton 20th century in Warwickshire Derailments in England Accidents