On Monday (24th July 1911) what might have been a most serious accident was fortunately averted by the presence of mind and pluck of the stationmaster Mr G N Peacock at Husthwaite Gate Station, on the York, Gilling and Pickering branch of the North Eastern Railway. It appears that a goods train was standing at Coxwold station, and whilst the engine was detached and carrying out shunting operations the rear portion of the train consisting of several wagons and a brake van, through some reason or other during the temporary absence of the guard, commenced moving towards Husthwaite Gate, and as there is a considerable down gradient in that direction, the runaway wagons soon gained speed.
When they reached Husthwaite Gate they were travelling at a good rate. Mr Peacock, seeing the wagons approaching and instantly realising that something was wrong, at considerable risk to himself, made a dash when the train was rushing through the station and fortunately succeeded in boarding the guards van. He at once applied the brakes and brought the runaway train to a stand some distance from the station. But for the plucky action of Mr. Peacock the result might have been very serious, as that train would soon have reached the mainline between York and the North, where traffic is almost continuous.'
According to Michael, when his great-grandfather retired on 2nd January 1916, a collection for him received 200 contributions and was organized by a committee of 20 chaired by Rhodes Hebblethwaite J.P. and included A. C. Peacock on the committee.
Michael Alexander and his mother are gratefully thanked for providing much of the above information and would be interested in any further knowledge about their ancestors in this area.