| Posted by wi joe on January 30, 2013 | |
That's a mess. Are those Ford Torrino's ?
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They look like Lincoln Continentals to me.
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How many "Piggies" can you count? To bad for all those Lincoln's. What was the fate of the crew?
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The engineer and another crewmember in the lead locomotive, 5037, hit on the far east side of the crater and survived, although both were injured. The two brakemen who were dead-heading back to Barstow were in the second locomotive and did not survive. From what I have read, they were scheduled to take the next train, but arrived early and took this one. Truly a very sad situation, and a reminder to always be safe when taking photographs near trains.
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I agree, a truly sad situation. After I posted the comment, I found some photos of the wreckage of the locomotives, via a friend in California. It is remarkable that anyone survived. Also your advice to be safe while taking photos around trains, It amazes me that some folks just do not practice safety. Surprises me that folks still place coins on the tracks, unaware that little coin can even derail a trainl
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| Posted by on January 30, 2013 | |
Based on having owned several myself, those are definitely Lincoln's. Whether Town Cars or Marks it's hard to tell from that distance, but this image of my old '77 (used for some serious railfan trips) tells me those are unmistakeably Lincoln's - http://classiclights.org/Autos/77-towncar-800x400-72dpi-text.jpg
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I feel bad for the engineer, and whoever's cars those were.
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Thunderbirds, and lot of them!
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| Posted by on January 30, 2013 | |
Agreed, the vehicles on the right hand and rear carrier are T-Birds, the white ones on the front rack facing have the broader Mark IV look. T-Birds & Lincoln's were built at the Ford Wixom Assembly plant in Wixom, MI.
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The Mercury Cougar was the same body style. Most likely, The Lincoln Mark VII, T-Bird and Cougar are built in the same assembly plant.
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| Posted by on February 2, 2013 | |
@thefarmersson A coin placed on the track will not derail a train.
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But the coin could, conceivably, shoot out to the side, particularly if the train is running very fast. But, back to this photo ... I've posted a photo of the lead engine, or, at least, what was left of it, here on RP.net (http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=388547). And just last year (2012) I got an e-mail from the engineer of this train responding to that photo. One of the deadheading crewmen who was killed was working more than many felt he ought to. His coworkers told him to take a day off now and then to spend time with his small children, but he was eager to get his house paid off and ... as we now know, that decision had tragic results. Very sad. (And, seriously, who cars about the Lincolns?) If I remember correctly, this washout occurred because a drain under the tracks clogged after a storm, and enough water backed up on the uphill side that, as the train crossed, the ground gave way under it.
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Those are indeed Thunderbirds and railroad legend has it that some are still buried at the crash sight.
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| Posted by byers on March 13, 2013 | |
My brother was the brakman who was killed in this accident.He wasn't even scheduled for this trip.He was covering for a co-worker.Its been 35 years,and I would love to find anybody who has pics,or more info on the accident.I waited until now because both parents have passed.I didn't want them to relive that time.My mother never got over losing her oldest son.If you can help feel free to contact me .
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