MAXWELL, Russel Edwin

Birth Name MAXWELL, Russel Edwin
Gramps ID I0201
Gender male
Age at Death 38 years, 11 months, 1 day

Narrative

Russell Edwin MAXWELL married ANN COOK which was a stylish and beautiful wedding, the men all wore their morning suites and the groomsman was film star Tom (Pat) O'BRIAN.
 Russel, a clever man who lectured at the Goulburn Railway Insitute and was also a draughtsman. He designed componentry for the Railway which is still in use today. Although an employee he attempted to patient his designs one of which was the security for carriage door handles. These can still be seen in perfect working order on side sadle carriages today, "The Rockers" which rocked the ashes from the fire box in the engine
 A change of pace for awhile, he was a Divisional Inspector on the Sydney/ Goulburn run. Russell's blueprints were done in a shed by the house and when working, the children all knew to be VERY QUIET. On his return home, he would cough several times and on entering the door the children would be lined uo silently, waiting. It was reported that following a Railway Union meeting he decided to go back to work only to be struck on the head by one of the picketers, and was killed. Age:39 years. His won father Hector had been killed at work on the railway when he was hurled under a locomotive.

Narrative

TRAIN SMASH. EVIDENCE OF RAILWAY
 OFFICIALS.
 INQUEST RESUMED,
 (FROM OUR SPECIAL REPORTER.)
 BINALONG, Monday.
 The inquest on Robert John Thomas, the victim of the railway smash at Binalong was continued this morning before the District Coroner- (Mr O Butler) and a jury of six. Mr T W Nicholls, Assistant Solicitor for Railways, represented the Chief Commissioner; Mr Ainsworth appeared on behalf of the Loco Enginedrivers' and Firemen's and Cleaners' Association and Inspector Thom of Yass, for the police John Sylvester Cotter. night officer at Binalong, on remand, in a charge of causing the death of Robert Thomas, was represented by Mr E Howard, solicitor, of Yass.
 Evidence was given by Edward George Pocock, sergeant of police at Binalong to the effect that the points were so set as to throw the Melbourne express in on the main line on top of the Temora mall Cotter when seen shortly after the accident, appeared to be quite cool and perfectly sober on the same night," witness went on, "I saw Cotter and told him I would have to ask him some questions regarding the collision. The usual warning was given that anything he said might be used in evidence against him, and he said he knew all about that, but he would like to know whether he would be breaking the regulations or not Mr Dugger, the station master, who came over at Cotter's request, told him that it was not a matter of regulations, but of not incriminating himself ."
 Witness then asked Cotter If he could tell him how the accident occurred, and he replied "The Temora mail was standing on the main line at the station. I pulled the wrong lever, and gave the wrong signal, and brought the express on to that line It was mv fault, and I do not want to blame anyone else for it"
 Witness said "When I saw the signals after the collision, they appeared to be at danger, and Cotter answered, I pulled them to dangerafterwards, but it was too late then "In answer to a further question as to why he pulled the wrong signal in the first place, Cotter's reply was, Now you are asking an awkward question " He then arrested Cotter on a charge of causing the death of Robert John Thomas, and he made no reply
 Francis Fredk Cook, signal section man, stationed at Yass, stated that he fully examined all the signals in his section at least once a month He overhauled those at Binalong station just before the accident, and proved them to be in proper working order.
 Some months ago there was a slight trouble in connection with the home signal showing a dull light, and on another occasion the back light on the down distant signal had also to be improved. An examination made after the accident revealed the fact that the rods were broken and the apparatus otherwise damaged. The Magistrate Don't call if accident call it a collision .There has been no evidence before us yet that it was an accident.
To Mr Nicholls No alteration in the signals had been made since the smash
 Cornelius Joseph Dogger, stationmaster, recalled, said that the driver of the Melbourne express was not allowed to exceed eight miles an hour going through the loop. On the night of the collision, when Cotter took charge at 8 o'clock, there were no arrears of work for the night officer to make up. There were occasions when it was impossible for a man to get his train away on time, and keep his clerical work to date as well, but these were exceptional circumstances.
 In reply to Mr Ainsworth, witness said that he thought the express was entitled to pass Binalong on the main line at the late of 25 to 30 miles an hour. On the night in question ten trains went through Binalong between 7.30 pm and 4.30 am including the two that collided, which was about the usual number that had to be dealt with on a normal night.
 To Mr Nicholls After the arrival of the goods train at 2 15, no other train arrived until the time of the collision, at 4 15 .The night officer would, therefore have ample time to split up the goods train, and put it into the siding before the arrival of the Temora mail.
 Silas Angs, fettler, stated that on the night in question he flagged the Melbourne express down, as she passed over the bridge near Binalong. She slowed down to about four miles an hour, and after passing the bridge increased her speed again.
 Edward Andrew Loughrey, Outdoor Loco Superintendent, stationed at Goulburn, said that judging from the damaged condition of the engine of the Melbourne express, the speed at which it was travelling at the moment of impact must have been about 15 miles per hour.
Witness detailed the method adopted by drivers in shading their head lamps to indicate to drivers of an approaching train the line on which they were standing.
 On the date in question the express had two headlights of different size, and owing to the larger red shade being broken the fireman took the smaller shade and placed it over the face of the big lamp. Only a few big lamps were in use and spare shades were not kept in stock, so that when a large shade was broken a new glass had to be made. A smaller shade on the big lamp would, of course, show a defective red light, but the fireman being unable to secure a large shade in Goulburn should have exchanged the lamp for a smaller one.
 The PM: Is not the position of the headlights a matter of secondary consideration once a driver has been given the signal all right? Would he be justified in going right through at his ordinary pace?
 No, If the engine lights are against him he should pull up.There is something wrong.
 The PM: Do you consider that the driver of the Melbourne express in view of all the facts could have done any more than he did to avert the collision?
 I consider that Driver Byrnes is to be commended. He pulled up in the quickest possible time considering the speed at which he was travelling and the short time at his disposal and did everything possible to avert the collision.
 The PM I think so too.
 Further questioned by Mr Howard witness maintained that the smash would still have occurred had the large red light been showing on the engine of the Temora mail. In reply to Mr Ainsworth witness said the position in which Driver Byrnes was placed provided a very severe test indeed.
 Mr Howard was proceeding further to examine witness when the Coroner said It seems to me that on attempt is being made for some reason or other to throw part of the responsibility on to Driver Byrnes.
 Three witnesses have already stated that Cotter himself has admitted that he was entirely to blame and now an endeavour is being made to hoodwink the jury and myself, and to try and make us believe that the driver should have done something which it was physically impossible for him to do.
 If ever a man deserved the Victoria Cross it is Driver Byrnes." Mr Howard No such attempt is being made. The evidence shows that Driver Byrnes did everything possible to prevent the colision but my contention is that he might have been given the opportunity of doing something else George Augustus Nicholas, Acting District Superintendent at Goulburn, who arrived at the scene of the accident at 1.25 am, said he questioned Cotter as to the cause of the occurrence and he replied that he had intended to put the Temora mail through the loop but hearing the express coming decided to leave her where she was and instructed the driver accordingly.
 He then went to the frame and lowered the main line signals, the up distant, home and up starter.
 Witness noticed that no entry had been made in the train register book regarding the time the express passed through Galong and Cotter stated that he did not get word of her departure from there but had rung up and learned that she had left at 4.1.
 Binalong, witness added, was an easy station to work owing to the facilities for handling traffic.
 Russell Edwin Maxwell, driver in charge of the mixed train that was standing in the siding when the smash occurred said that when he saw the express coming he noticed the signals set wrong and, realising that a serious accident was inevitable, blew the danger whistle on his engine. Witness saw fire fly from the wheels of the No 2 engine as though the brakes were being applied hard.
 Charles Maitland Dening, driver of the second engine on the same train, gave evidence on similar lines.
 The Court adjourned till tomorrow morning.
TRAIN SMASH. (1915, April 27). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 5. TROVE

Events

Event Date Place Description Sources
Birth 24 Aug 1882 Young, New South Wales, Australia    
Death 25 Jul 1921 Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia    
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OBITUARY.
 SUB-INSPECTOR MAXWELL.
 Sub-Inspector Russell Edwin Maxwell, of the Goulburn Loco. Department, died shortly after eight o'clock on Monday morning after a very brief and painful illness.
 He was 39 years of age, and leaves a widow and five young children.
 The late Mr. Maxwell completed twenty years' railway service on Thursday last, the day on which he was forced to relinquish work. He joined as a cleaner, and rose in the department to the position he held at the time of his death. He was well liked, and respected by his fellow employees, and the news of his death was learned with keen regret by his many friends.
 Last week deceased was suffering from influenza.
OBITUARY. (1921, July 26). Goulburn Evening Penny Post (NSW : 1881 - 1940), p. < a href="http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article98933635'> TROVE

Parents

Relation to main person Name Birth date Death date Relation within this family (if not by birth)
Father MAXWELL, George [I0838]1858
Mother CREECH, Rose Ann [I0839]
         MAXWELL, Russel Edwin 24 Aug 1882 25 Jul 1921