End of the Line: The Moorgate Disaster

by Richard M. Jones

On 28th February 1975 a London Underground train crash led to the deaths of 43 people and injured dozens more. Now for the first time in 40 years, stories of that day and the aftermath are brought together in one volume to give a terrifying account of a day that shook the rail network. Interviews from survivors, rescuers and the relatives of those killed answer questions that until now have remained hidden. How was a packed train able to overshoot a terminal station and crash with such devastating consequences? How were the rescuers able to pull people out of the wreckage alive over 12 hours after impact? Most importantly…what was the cause of the crash?

Author Richard M. Jones has dedicated his life to researching disasters of historical significance that have been forgotten.

Genres: Nonfiction

201 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 30, 2015

About the author

Richard M. Jones is a historian specializing in lost ships and forgotten disasters. He has published over a dozen books and placed six memorial plaques to help remember these events.

Reviews

[Katia M. Davis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really disappointed with this publication. The writing was amateurish for non fiction with an almost conversational overtone and a plethora of cringe worthy exclamation marks. There were no sources cited for four years of research and no bibliography, only a very sketchy further reading. Although the author did try to structure the book, each section jumped about within itself. The author also claimed to make a breakthrough discovery as to the cause of the accident. However this was very similar to a couple of possibilities put forward in the official 1976 report and other publications prior to this publication.
I had really been looking forward to reading this but found myself wanting to edit it for expression and clarity and searching online reports and publications to check some of the points the author made. He puts a spin on the blood alcohol levels of the driver and gets a bit silly about sugary cups of tea trying to disprove one investigator's statement. I suggest the author read up on how the body processes sucrose and glucose and what several days of decomposition will do to it. I'm also guessing the author did not know that post mortem blood sugar levels are higher in people with fatal alcohol abuse. But this is a moot point as it was already established in 1976 that alcohol most likely did not play a significant role, if any in the accident.
I would very much like to have seen a more thorough analysis of official reports rather than sensation. I do applaud the author for having organised a memorial and ceremony, but this book needed a firm editing hand if for nothing but ease of reading.

[Adam Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

On 28 February 1975 at 08:46 a packed underground train, comprised of 1938 stock arrived at the terminus of what was then the Northern City branch of the Northern line and failed to stop at the platform. As this was the end of the line the tunnel continued beyond the platform for a short distance and terminated in a concrete wall. It is estimated that the train, which continued on without braking, hit the wall at between 30 and 35 mph. Forty three people, including the driver were killed and dozens more were seriously injured in what is still the worst peace time accident on the London Underground. This book examines in detail what happened that morning and who the victims were and why they were on that particular train. Until 2013 London Underground had been very reticent to publicly acknowledge the disaster or the victims but due largely to the persistent lobbying by the author Richard Jones a memorial is now present in nearby Finsbury Square and at Moorgate station itself.
The author spent many years interviewing families of the victims and also survivors of the crash and this makes fascinating if sometimes harrowing reading. The cause of the tragedy itself has never conclusively been established but many theories have been put forward over the years such as the driver was drunk (he was in fact to all intents and purposes a teetotaller), suicide, brake failure, heart attack etc. All of these have been dismissed as having no corroborating evidence and in some cases direct evidence to the contrary but the author does put forward his own most plausible theory of why this tragedy occurred.
One minor criticism is that the book could have done with a more thorough proof reader as there are a number of syntactically or grammatically incorrect sentences which do stand out awkwardly. This apart, it is a thorough and sympathetic examination of a horrifying tragedy.

[Mrs S J Patey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only have vague memories of Moorgate and I wanted to find out more. I feel that due to how it’s written it’s done a huge disservice to people affected. The style of writing is very simplistic and childlike. I found it very difficult to read because of this and struggled from start to finish.
I’m now trying to find a better written account of this very sad event.

[Lisa-Jaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book resonated with me because I had previously worked around Moorgate and London Wall for many years. I chose the book because of the title and was absolutely shocked to realise I had never been aware of this disaster.... had I missed seeing the plaque that would have surely been placed at the station? No, because this wasn't actually placed until 2013 as was the Memorial.

This was a great tribute to those who became a part of that day; the survivors, the emergency services and those who lost their lives. This book humanises the stories of many and looks into the evidence of the time sensitively and with great compassion.

My dad asked why I was reading it and all I could say in reply was because these disasters should never be forgotten, those victims should never be forgotten.

This book has stayed with me days after I finished it.

[Elliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

If there’s one thing that can be said about the Moorgate Disaster it is that the first responders all performed admirably. This is the one fact that shines above all else no matter the source. There was no inter-service rivalry, there were no massive egos, there were no shirkers. It’s not even hyperbole to call them all heroes.
This book shows that quite well.
The writing felt a little amateurish at times but, it is a good introduction to this tragedy.

[Dee Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obviously a very sad story but very human too, including the emotions of the rescue services. Well told with so much information on the technicalities of the London Underground system. A tribute and memorial to the many victims.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant . A great addition to my library . Well researched .

[Sinead · Rating 5 out of 5]

A harrowing yet insightful read about the often forgotten tragedy that was the Moorgate disaster (Feb, 1975); one of the worst peacetime rail disasters.

[colin harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rivetting

An excellent read. Incredibly well researched, very dignified and sympathetically written book. There best I have regarding tragedy on this scale.

[Steve Parcell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good account of an almost forgotten rail disaster at Moorgate. A station I arrive at London at every morning.