This film is part of Free

Railway Collision
An impressive early film special effect
Overview
Orson Welles famously compared directing a film to playing with a train-set, and director Walter Booth does both in this early film. It would be a very lucky filmmaker who managed to capture a real-life train crash on film. But with a bit of skill and ingenuity you could create an effective facsimile - as early 'trick' film specialist Booth does here, with the kind of detailed model set-up we associate with much later films.
Originally intended to be viewed in a Kinetoscope 'peephole' machine, this short film was soon adapted for public screening, with one (somewhat dubious) report suggesting that some audience members were convinced it was footage of a real accident.
Related

Rough Sea at Dover Rough Sea at Dover
Non-Fiction 1895 0 mins Silent
Waves crash onto a jetty on the Kentish shoreline in one of Britain's earliest surviving films

Comic Costume Race Comic Costume Race
Non-Fiction 1896 1 mins Silent
Plenty of laughs to be had as these Victorian clowns attempt to run a charity race - if they can get their wigs on

Sea Cave near Lisbon Sea Cave near Lisbon
1896 0 mins Silent
Breath-taking view of waves breaking at the mouth of the Boca do Inferno.

Launch of H.M.S. Albion Launch of H.M.S. Albion
Non-Fiction 1898 2 mins Silent Location: Blackwall
The launch of H.M.S Albion, which was marred by the collapse of a gangway which resulted in many spectators drowning.

Two A.M.; Or, The Husband's Return Two A.M.; Or, The Husband's Return
Comedy 1896 1 mins Silent
A drunken spouse gets his just desserts in a timeless scene

Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee - Paul - York Road - Front of Procession Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee - Paul - York Road - Front of Procession
1897 1 mins Silent
Carriages full of well-heeled guests continue in Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee procession, filmed for RW Paul.

Alexandre Desplat (Masterclass) Alexandre Desplat (Masterclass)
Inside Film 2011 33 mins
Over 30 years and 150 projects, the composer shares, with humour and passion, the intricacies of making film music.

Ian Neil (Masterclass) Ian Neil (Masterclass)
Inside Film 2012 74 mins
Neil selected soundtracks for 127 Hours, Shame, Kick Ass, Control and many more. He discusses the job and its complexities, referencing his own work.

Screenwriters' Lecture: Peter Straughan Screenwriters' Lecture: Peter Straughan
Inside Film 2012 mins
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy's adapter reveals his quest for "the poem of the book" and the importance of simplicity: 'Drain the pond to find the fish'.

Gabriel Yared on composing for film Gabriel Yared on composing for film
Inside Film 2013 11 mins
Composer of The Lives of Others, The English Patient and Betty Blue on intimacy and experimentation.

Lois Burwell on movie makeup Lois Burwell on movie makeup
Inside Film 2013 17 mins
Lincoln, Braveheart and Magnolia make-up artist Lois Burwell explains how she created some of her most iconic looks, as part of a BAFTA Masterclass.

Barry Ackroyd (Masterclass) Barry Ackroyd (Masterclass)
2013 61 mins
British cinematographer of The Hurt Locker, Captain Phillips, Hillsborough and Riff Raff reviews the art of the moving image.