Mapleton train collision

Mapleton train collision
Mapleton train collision
Details
Date	27 July 1927
Location	Roodekop, Germiston
Country	South Africa
Incident type	Head-on collision
Statistics
Trains	2
Deaths	35
Injured	54

On 27 July 1927, a catastrophic head-on train collision occurred on the single-track railway line between Durban and Johannesburg, South Africa, near Roodekop in Germiston between Mapleton and Glenroy. The accident involved a southbound goods train and a northbound passenger train. 35 nine people were killed and 54 others were injured.^[1]

Collision

The collision was a head-on train collision on the single-track railway line between Durban and Johannesburg, South Africa, near Roodekop in Germiston between Mapleton and Glenroy. The accident involved a southbound goods train and a northbound passenger train. 35 nine people were killed and 54 others were injured.^[1] The disaster site was at an altitude of 6000ft. At the time of the disaster it was dark and it was freezing.^[2]

The collision was primarily attributed to a critical error made by the driver of the southbound goods train departing from Roodekop. The driver, carrying the staff which authorised him to travel only as far as a newly added side track, apparently forgot to wait there for the northbound train from Durban. This oversight led to both trains being on the same track simultaneously, resulting in the collision.^[1]

Casualties

The collision had tragic consequences. A total of 35 people lost their lives, two people from Europe and 33 from South Africa people. Some people died from the collision while many died succumbing to exposure to the harsh winter weather while waiting for rescue teams to arrive. Additionally, 54 individuals sustained injuries of varying severity. Most of the people on board were en route to the gold mines. There were also convicts on board. They didn't run away but started the rescue work.^[1]^[2]

Trains involved

One of the locomotives involved in the collision was the SAR A Class 4-8-2T No. 196, manufactured by Dubs & Co. (Dubs No. 3819).^[3]

The coach of type J-12 "3119" built at the workshop of the SAR in Uitenhage that was involved in the collision was one of six native coaches numbered 3114 to 3119. She was scraped after the collision.^[4]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Semmens, P. W. B. (1994). Railway disasters of the world: principal passenger train accidents of the 20th century. Yeovil: Patrick Stephens. p. 65. ISBN 978-1-85260-323-6.
^ ^a ^b "Railway Disaster. | Collision in South Africa. | Injured Die From Cold". The Argus. 27 July 1927. p. 31. Retrieved 1 September 2025 – via Trover.
^ "SAR&H Magazine 1926-1930". South African Railways and Harbours Magazine, Volume 21. August 1927. p. 1251.
^ "Cape Midland Branches (3): The Grahamstown & Port Alfred branch, by Bruno Martin, Bruce Brinkman & Charlie Lewis". Soul of A Railway. Retrieved 1 September 2025.

External links

Images of the disaster

[Semmers-1] Semmens, P. W. B. (1994). Railway disasters of the world: principal passenger train accidents of the 20th century. Yeovil: Patrick Stephens. p. 65. ISBN 978-1-85260-323-6.

[Argus-2] "Railway Disaster. | Collision in South Africa. | Injured Die From Cold". The Argus. 27 July 1927. p. 31. Retrieved 1 September 2025 – via Trover.

[3] "SAR&H Magazine 1926-1930". South African Railways and Harbours Magazine, Volume 21. August 1927. p. 1251.

[4] "Cape Midland Branches (3): The Grahamstown & Port Alfred branch, by Bruno Martin, Bruce Brinkman & Charlie Lewis". Soul of A Railway. Retrieved 1 September 2025.

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