The Polmont rail accident, also known as the Polmont rail disaster, occurred on 30 July 1984 to the west of Polmont, near Falkirk, in Scotland. A westbound push-pull express train travelling from Edinburgh to Glasgow struck a cow which had gained access to the track through a damaged fence from a field near Polmont railway station, causing all six carriages and the locomotive of the train to derail. 13 people were killed and 61 others were injured, 17 of them seriously. The accident led to a debate about the safety of push-pull trains on British Rail.
Memorial plaque at Polmont station
Polmont is a village in the Falkirk council area of Central Scotland. It lies towards the east of the town of Falkirk, north of the Union Canal, which runs adjacent to the village.
Top: Parkhill House, Middle: Union Canal, Bottom left: Old Polmont Reservoir and golf course Bottom right: Meadowbank Library.
Polmont War Memorial
Inchyra Grange Hotel, a redevelopment of one of the area's former mansions
Polmont Old Parish Church