They say that lightning never strikes twice in the same place .... Manchester Times Sat Dec 20 1879: Extraordinary Railway Accident ³Near Moses gate Station ... Turned train onto loop line in error... the engine continued its course, after it had passed the rails, and toppled over some distance from their termination into the private garden of Mr Josiah Phethean, cotton spinner, where it now lies ... The guard, driver and fireman .. had a very narrow escape. They jumped off in time to save their lives but the fireman sustained injuries to one leg and the guard lost his cap and watch² (!) Manchester Times Sat 30 Oct 1880: Railway Collision near Bolton ³Early on Wednesday a collision of very destructive character, involving considerable personal injuries. ...Goods train on loop line at Moses Gate .. Suddenly jerked and overran the catch points. The huge engine turned a summersault over the embankment into the garden of Mr Josiah Phethean where a runaway engine had performed the same feat a few months ago...² This second accident was more serious, as one of the goods wagons ended up across the main line and caused the derailment of a passenger train carrying workers from Bolton to the mills at Moses Gate ­ no doubt including Josiah Phethean¹s mill in Cawdor Street. Serious injuries were noted for Edward Tonge, 28; John Openshaw, 29; William Stones, 27; William Smethurst, 65; Elizabeth Ann Aldred, 16; Jane Gerrard, 128 (?). I believe the property in question to be ³Woodlands², Manchester Road, Great Lever. I have copies of the full articles if anyone is interested. Regards, Stuart ----------------------------------------- Stuart Phethean Hampshire UK http://www.phethean.org.uk ----------------------------------------