The public will be asked how best to create a lasting tribute to honour the casualties of a forgotten Arbroath rail tragedy.
The Edinburgh-bound North British Express careered into the back of a Caledonian Railway local train standing at Elliot in 1906 during a blizzard.
Thirteen people were killed instantly on the local train but the death toll increased to 22 with eight injured and the town’s drill hall was used as a temporary mortuary.
Among those killed was fisherman and part-time Arbroath FC footballer David ‘Dev’ Smith Cargill whose train crash mercy mission cost him his life aged just 32.
Cargill had rushed to help those injured but working in snow and ice next to a boiling engine saw him contract a chill which cost him his life.
The fisherman was the great-great uncle of local businessman Jim Millar who proposed the idea of a permanent memorial after researching his family history.
The proposal is attracting growing support and the public is now being asked to get in touch with their views and suggestions for what form a permanent memorial might take.
Mr Millar said “This disaster saw a significant loss of life in appalling weather conditions that must have made rescue attempts extremely difficult.
“I welcome the fact that a growing number of people share the view that a memorial is appropriate.
“We have had a number of suggestions about what kind of memorial would be appropriate, and where a memorial should be located, and the more people who get in touch with David Fairweather to express their views the better.”
Mr Millar has been working alongside the prospective Arbroath local election candidate to gather support for a memorial to mark the event.
Mr Fairweather said “When Mr Millar approached me with this, I was amazed that I had not heard about it before now, and I agreed that a memorial of some kind would be fitting.
“Since then, I have spoken with councillor colleagues of all parties and none, as well as writing to the areas MSPs and the Chief Executive of Angus Council.
“I am delighted that the response has been overwhelmingly positive, and I would like to ask the public to get in touch with their views and suggestions for what form a permanent memorial might take.”
One of those injured in the crash was the Liberal Member of Parliament Alexander William Black, who died of his injuries shortly afterwards.
The disaster happened just after 3pm on Friday, December 28, 1906.
The overturned engine lay on it side, pistons still thrusting in the snow.
Passengers took the initiative that day, tendering to the injured and removing bodies from the train.
The driver of the North British Express, George Gourlay, escaped injury, probably because the tender had been placed in front of the locomotive.
He was found guilty of culpable homicide but due to his unblemished character, the weather and lax infrastructure, he was recommended for the utmost leniency and given five months in prison.
