The Sep. 41 accident on page 27 of the June issue did not occur on the Indiana Railroad

[daveklepper]

The Indiana Railroad ceased all passenger operations in January 1941.  The Indianapolis - Seymore line reverted to its owner, Interstate Public Service Company, a power company, that met legal requirements to preserve its ROW needed for power lines, by running one round trip daily.   On a northbound trip, the trolley rope broke when the pole dewired, and the operator of the one-man car phoned the other employee on duty at the shop, inlcuding the location where he was.  He fixed the rope, put the pole back on the wire, and sped north.  The dispatcher - shop forman thought he was asking for help and sped south with the line car.

This accident could not have happened when the Indiana Railroad was running the line, because their rules on movement of equpment were comparible to mainline railroads and required written orders or messages repeated and written down.   The Indiana RR had a splendid safety record.

Lesson:   Don't  teach others.   If you think you need help, then ask for it and then wait until it comes.  I think this applies generally, not just to railroading.

 

[daveklepper]

Corrections,   Indiana Railroad ceased all RAIL passenger operatioos in Jan. '41, but   continued as a bus  company until a merger after WWII.   Certain freight operations continued in the process of being sold to other owners.   One is still operatihg as a frieght shortline today.

Interstate Public Service Company changed its name to Indiana Public Service  Col long before Indiana Railroad ended its lease of the Indanapolis - Seymmore  - Louisville rights-of-way.