Owencarron Railway Tragedy

[Weather-history]

On the evening of 30th January 1925, a passenger train was crossing the Owencarron Viaduct, Donegal, in gales when a gust caused the train to derail onto the floor of the glen below. 4 people were killed. The area was exposed to gales but no precautions were taken as they were on another light railway line in County Clare. At Quilty, an anemograph was installed with a warning device in which a bell rung when the winds exceeded 65mph. Pig iron was then added to each carriage for ballast. At 85mph, all trains were suspended on the line.