Nightmare on the Chief

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know any links to the Nightmare on the Super Chief story? In 1956, there was a terrible accident in Robinson, New Mexico with the Chief and Fast Mail Express.

[M636C]

I think that story was in Trains or Classic Trains in the last two or so years. Check the On line Indexes! Is that the case where the fireman of the standing train threw the switch in error?

Peter

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by M636C

I think that story was in Trains or Classic Trains in the last two or so years. Check the On line Indexes! Is that the case where the fireman of the standing train threw the switch in error?

Peter

Yes Peter, the story was in the Trains magazine back in the 90s. I am not sure of the exact date but do remember reading the story. It was a terrible accident and should not have happened.

[Anonymous]

September 1998

[Anonymous]

This accident took place in Sept 1956 between Raton & Las Vegas,NM The westbound Chief and an eastbound mail were meeting at Robinson siding. A crewman accidently lined the siding switch in front of the Chief which resulted in a head on wreck that claimed about 20 lives.

[oldyardgoat]

The Robinson wreck occurred at 3:01AM (MST) on Sept. 5, 1956.
The crews in F-7 30-L and 41-L and 16 deadheading dining car employees on No. 8 were killed.
An aerial view (one of three known taken) was published in the next issue of LIFE magazine.
The fireman at fault never recovered from the mental/emotional impact of his error.
There is an ICC report of the collision available from whichever agency took over the records of the ICC when it was eliminated by act of congress in the late 1990s.
See Colo. Rail Annual No. 23--Santa Fe in the Intermountain West.
Ardenastationmaster