Mural appears in loyalist heartland marking 75 years since colossal railway disaster killed 22 people

The black-and-white artwork in Severn Street, in the city’s loyalist-dominated inner-east, depicts a crane hoisting a railway carriage aloft, and honours the 22 fatal victims of the calamity 75 years ago.

The disaster saw two trains collide on the Belfast–Bangor line on the morning of January 10 – one of which was a light, wood-based passenger train packed full of commuters.

The gable wall on which the mural has been painted is the side of a sandwich shop, and was previously blank.

However the surrounding area is emblazoned with UDA graffiti, and it stands next to a monument of remembrance which flies the flag of the paramilitary group.

PUP deputy leader Dr John Kyle, who represents the district on Belfast City Council, said the mural is part of a general move on the part of east Belfast’s neighbourhoods to “rediscover” their history, looking beyond the bloodshed of the Troubles.

He said: “I absolutely welcome it. Over the past four or five years east Belfast has been rediscovering its history – everything from the Somme and the local residents who served, and some of whom died.”

Other artworks have sprung up marking Belfast’s past industrial might, and the sinking of the Titanic in April 1912.

“It helps to strengthen a sense of community identity,” Dr Kyle added.

Meanwhile DUP councillor for the area Adam Newton said: “It’s good to see murals of that nature going up, especially to commemorate events of the past. It’s a positive mural to have up, and it’s great to see local history being remembered.”

The mural is the handiwork of Blaze FX, and is part of a wider regeneration project involving the council called the Ballymacarrett Walkway improvement scheme.

The mural began taking shape early in October, and was finished a couple of weeks ago.