Mrs Janet Hopkins whose sister Margaret Griffiths was among those who had lost their lives. She had travelled with her family from Marlow in Buckinghamshire to take part in the ceremony and the blessing of a memorial garden at the church which took place on Saturday exactly 50 years to the minute since the accident. 

Mrs Hopkins said: "It is an emotional day for me and I would like to thank all those local people who worked so hard to make it possible." 

She inadvertently triggered the event over a year ago when, wondering if anything would be done to mark the 50th anniversary, she Googled the name Hixon and came up with a phone number with the Wellington Fields Allotment Association which is based in the village. 

"After her phone call they formed a committee which raised over £1000 which has paid for the memorial stone and helped with the garden," declared local historian and committee member Mr Malcolm Garner who lectures on the rail crash and its aftermath. 

He added: "It was the most awful catastrophe and occured at one of the early automatic level crossings. As a result significant changes were made to the way they were operated throughout the world. Sadly it cost 11 lives but has inadvertently has helped to save hundreds of others since then." 

Dennis Clews, a teenager when travelling on the ill fated train with his parents, who both lost their lives, was also among those present along with 76-year-old Eric Cookson who has lived in the village all his life and was working 50 yards away from the point of impact. 

He said: "I just heard one big bang and rushed outside. The engine was buried inside the transformer. I have never forgotten what it looked like." 

Rev Mike Cadwallader, who blessed the new garden and said prayers alongside the memorial which both stand alongside the church at which he is the recently arrived team vicar, said: "I have been bowled over by the desire of the village to mark this occasion in a way that will ensure those who died will never be forgotten."