On the 14 September, the Irish Mail had been delayed by the late running of the steamer at Holyhead, and it was thirteen minutes late by the time it approached Tamworth.
At around 4:09 am the Mail approached Tamworth at around 50 mph (85 kmh), the driver saw that the signal was set for the loop and applied the emergency brakes, but could not stop before being diverted onto the platform loop and then into the siding.