Union Pacific wreck in Montana

[snookiedoe]

Hi, Earlier I posted an inquiry about a UP wreck on the Butte Pocatello Line in the early 1950's but I cannot seem to find it on the Forum since it was my first post and I may have not done it correctly. I remember going out to the wreck site as a boy with my dad and watching the cranes lift the steam locomotive, tender and cars back onto the track. As I recall the accident happened on or near a small bridge over Divide Creek and the locomotive was in the creek.

Can anyone recal this incident and if so fill me in on the details? I can look up the incident in our local papers but I would like a "ball park" date in order to get started.

Thanks to all who reply!

Kind Regards, TOM

[KCSfan]

snookiedoe

Hi, Earlier I posted an inquiry about a UP wreck on the Butte Pocatello Line in the early 1950's but I cannot seem to find it on the Forum since it was my first post and I may have not done it correctly. I remember going out to the wreck site as a boy with my dad and watching the cranes lift the steam locomotive, tender and cars back onto the track. As I recall the accident happened on or near a small bridge over Divide Creek and the locomotive was in the creek.

Can anyone recal this incident and if so fill me in on the details? I can look up the incident in our local papers but I would like a "ball park" date in order to get started.

Thanks to all who reply!

Kind Regards, TOM

Tom,

I missed your earlier inquiry but think I've found info about the wreck you remember. I searched accident reports for 1950 thru 1954 and the only one occurring on the UP in Montana during those years happened on April 7, 1953 at Apex, MT. It involved passenger train No. 29 which consisted of eight cars headed, surprisingly, by 4-6-6-4 No. 3801.

The following steps will enable you to open a detailed description of this wreck and the ensuing ICC investigation.

Google search on ICC Accident Reports

Open the first link, "Online Digital Special Collections Library"

Scroll down and open "ICC Historical Railroad Investigation Reports"

Scroll down and click on 1953

Scroll down to Union Pacific  and open the first accident listed

Click on the link to the PDF version.

If this isn't the wreck you have in mind just continue to search other years for additional reports of UP accidents until you find the one you're looking for.

Mark