Published: 02 March 2012

• THE letter about the 1975 Moorgate Tube train crash was most interesting (Moorgate disaster driver a target of vicious campaign, February 24).

A contemporary of motorman Newson at the time of the accident, I was a trainman on the Bakerloo line, and the Northern line shared our rolling stock.

Over the last few years, I have used my working knowledge and experience to scrutinise available evidence concerning the crash, mainly from the transcripts of the inquest and the government railway accident report into the cause of the Moorgate crash.

That report should have come with the caveat E&OE, errors and omissions excepted.

Evidence suggests to me that the crash train was not the one claimed to have been prepared for service and driven by Newson on several trips without complaint, and that the first driving trip south in it was undertaken by another motorman who found the brakes and other equipment to be in good order.

It appears the crash train was acquired by Newson in an unofficial crew changeover at Old Street station.

Newson drove it to Drayton Park for the first time that morning, and then south to Moorgate whereupon it crashed.

It appears the actual crash train had been sent to Drayton Park depot, from Neasden depot, with brake and motor defects.

It was awaiting return to Neasden, where it was due to be scrapped. Instead, it was scrapped in service at Moorgate.

Anthony Bright
Penarth, Wales