On 20 September 1893 at approximately 8:00pm, the Launceston to Hobart express train on the Main Line derailed due to sabotage on the Horseshoe Bridge that spanned Ironstone Gully, a chasm, south of Brighton Junction station. Bolts had been intentionally removed from the fishplates with sleepers, logs and other obstructions laid across the tracks. The engine rolled over onto its left side and the first carriage was knocked off the rails. There were sixty passengers on board and no reported injuries. Charles Briggs, a labourer residing at Pontville, was charged twice with attempting to wreck the express train. He was eventually released by order of the Attorney-General after a majority of jurors found in favour of an acquittal. The saboteur(s) were never identified.
