Remembering hero driver John Axon

by

Sam Hewitt

–

THE Bahamas Locomotive Society organised a civic reception at Stockport town hall to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the 1958 BBC broadcast of the Ballad of John Axon.

The broadcast was an iconic production, way ahead of its time, written by folk singer and writer Ewan MacColl and arranged by his partner Peggy Seeger.

On the steps of Stockport Town Hall with guests are (in the middle, foreground), from left to right, Keith Whitmore; Coun Walter Brett, mayor of Stockport; Andrew Axon, just behind in white shirt; Melanie Axon; and Peggy Seeger.

John Axon was the driver of the Rowsley freight train which on February 9, 1957 collided with another train, causing the death of its guard John Creamer.

Article continues below…
Advert

Enjoy more Heritage Railway reading in the four-weekly magazine.
Click here to subscribe & save.

John was posthumously awarded the George Cross for bravery for staying on the footplate and avoiding an even worse crash further down the line.

Read more in Issue 251 of HR – on sale now!

Article continues below…
Advert

Subscribe to Heritage Railway Magazine

Enjoy more Heritage Railway reading in the four-weekly magazine. Click here to subscribe.

Article Tags:

Bahamas Locomotive Society, Heritage Railway

About the Author

Sam Hewitt is the Digital Content Editor at Mortons Media Group. Email: [email protected]