The coverage of the crash at the time recognised the generosity of the local community who tried to help injured passengers, despite deeply harrowing scenes.
A debate in parliament the day afterwards heard praise for people in St John’s who “so unselfishly put their houses and their belongings at the disposal of the rescuers”.
The collision was a major national event, prompting a government report.
Investigators found there were about 1,500 people on the electric train and 700 people on the steam train involved, and it took more than a week to carry out the recovery and clear the tracks to re-open the rail lines.
The memorial in St John’s has been funded by the Railway Heritage Trust and the local St John’s Society.
The maroon-coloured plaque, on the long brick wall approaching the station entrance, is part of the London Borough of Lewisham’s heritage scheme.
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