Granville train disaster Memorial
Published: 15th January 2007
Commemorative and Memorial Services will be held on Thursday 18 January 2007 to mark the 30th anniversary of the Granville train disaster.
NSW Fire Brigades Commissioner Greg Mullins and other senior officers will attend the services, which commence at 10am at the Granville Station Concourse.
Tragic events
It was on 18 January 1977 during peak hour that a Blue Mountains commuter train travelling to Sydney from Mt Victoria crashed after derailing on curve approaching Granville Station. The train slid some 46 metres before striking the supports of the Bold Street Bridge over the rail line, demolishing all eight steel stanchions, and coming to rest 67 metres from the original derailment.
To make matters worse, the four-lane concrete bridge, with a weight of 570 tonnes, collapsed onto carriages three and four. Emergency services were hampered by the dangerous environment that rescuers were working in.
In total, there were 83 deaths and 213 injuries, 83 of which were serious. An inquiry exonerated the train's driver, finding the accident was caused by poorly maintained tracks.
Order of the day
At 10am a plaque will be unveiled on the Granville Station Concourse by the Deputy Premier and Minister for Transport, The Honourable John Watkins in the presence of distinguished guests.
A memorial service will be held at the historic St Mark's Anglican Church, 39 Jamieson Street, Granville, commencing at 11am.
At 12.30pm, the congregation will walk from St Mark's through the main streets for a service and wreath laying ceremony at the Granville Memorial Garden.
Following this, 83 roses will be scattered from the Bold Street Bridge opposite the Memorial Garden in memory of the 83 people who lost their lives in Australia's worst train disaster.
After the wreath laying, a light luncheon will be served at the Granville Town Hall for guests and survivors.