The Town of WATFORD in the County of Hertfordshire

In the early summer of 1835, Watford and the surrounding area experienced widespread shock following a tragic accident during the construction of the Watford Tunnel (also known as the "Leaveedm Tunnel") on the new railway to Birmingham. This accident, which resulted in significant loss of life, highlighted the high human and financial costs of building the UK's railway network. Watford's proximity to the construction meant that local residents often witnessed and were impacted by these risks, leading to a degree of local skepticism about the railway project.

The accident involved the collapse of one of the tunnel shafts on the Earl of Essex's estate at Russell Farm Wood, about two miles from Watford. The news spread quickly, drawing crowds of anxious families and onlookers to the site. Many were desperate to know the fate of their loved ones who worked on the tunnel.

Notably, the delay in reporting the incident illustrates how communication was limited in the 1830s. Although the accident occurred early on a Thursday, details weren’t published in London newspapers until Saturday, and it only reached some readers in the evening press by Friday night.

The scene at Russell Wood, a scenic area under which the tunnel was being constructed, was described as chaotic, with the local community deeply affected by the loss.