The Summit Tunnel fire occurred on 20 December 1984, when a dangerous goods train caught fire while passing through the Summit Tunnel on the railway line between Littleborough and Todmorden on the Greater Manchester/West Yorkshire border, England.
Background
The tunnel, which is in length, was built in 1840–41. Twelve of the fourteen construction shafts were left open to help vent smoke and steam from the locomotives that passed through it. One day earlier on 3 December a train guard had been killed after a collision between a diesel multiple unit and parcels vans at Longsight also in Manchester. This third serious railway accident in the North West of England in less than three weeks led the Littleborough and Saddleworth MP Geoffrey Dickens to call for an inquiry into railway safety, in particular with respect to the conveyance of dangerous chemicals such as those involved in the accidents at Eccles and Summit Tunnel.
Fire
The train involved was the 01:40 freight train from Haverton Hill, Teesside to oil distribution terminal near Warrington. It was formed by class 47 diesel locomotive 47 125 and thirteen tankers.
At 05:50 on 20 December 1984, the train, carrying more than or of four-star petrol in thirteen tankers, entered the tunnel on the Yorkshire (north) side traveling at . One-third of the way through the tunnel, a defective axle bearing (journal bearing) derailed the fourth tanker, which caused the derailment of those behind. Only the locomotive and the first three tankers remained on the rails. One of the derailed tankers fell on its side and began to leak petrol into the tunnel. Vapour from the leaking petrol was probably ignited by the damaged axle box.
Aided by the Greater Manchester Fire Brigade, the train crew returned to the train, where they uncoupled the three tankers still on the rails and used the locomotive to drive them out. The BA crews from both brigades decided to evacuate. They were allowed back home the next day. Of the of petrol carried by the train, were rescued by the train crew when they drove the locomotive and the first three tankers to safety. A further of petrol were recovered after the fire was extinguished, and () burnt.
The damage done by the fire was minimal. Approximately half a mile of track had to be replaced, as did all the electrical services and signalling. The biggest surprise was how well the brick lining had stood up to the fire.
Investigation
A public enquiry was held into the accident. The hearing was held in Manchester. A report was published on 4 June 1985.