On this day in 1983, a serious derailment took place at London Paddington Station when the overnight sleeper service from Penzance came off the tracks as it approached the terminus. The train was hauled by Class 50 locomotive 50041, named Bulwark, and was nearing the end of its long west-to-east journey when the incident occurred in the early hours of 23 November.

The derailment happened as the train negotiated a crossover on the approach to the platforms. The locomotive left the rails and came to rest within the station area, causing significant disruption. Although the scene was dramatic, the emergency response was rapid, with railway staff and responders clearing the area and assisting passengers who had been on board at the time.

Despite the severity of the derailment, the accident resulted in no fatalities. Three people were injured and required treatment, a relatively small number given the circumstances. The official report highlighted that the majority of passengers escaped serious harm, and that the incident, while highly disruptive, did not lead to a major casualty event.

The subsequent investigation concluded that the primary cause of the derailment was excessive speed. The train approached the crossover too fast, leading to a loss of control and the locomotive’s derailment. The report attributed this to driver error, noting that the speed should have been reduced in accordance with the track layout on the station approach.

The incident caused damage not only to the locomotive but also to parts of the track infrastructure at Paddington. The recovery and repair work required the closure of lines and the careful coordination of engineers to restore normal operations. The locomotive itself suffered notable damage and was later taken for repair, though the official summary does not provide details on the extent of the work carried out.

Although it is not widely remembered today, the Paddington derailment of 23 November 1983 remains an important moment in the history of railway safety. It reinforced the critical importance of speed management on complex station approaches and demonstrated how even routine operating errors can lead to serious consequences. The findings of the investigation contributed to ongoing efforts to improve operational discipline and reduce the risk of similar incidents in the future.