Edit post

Edit your reply below.

Post Body
Enter your post below.
Trainfreak409 wrote:   Now, I'm not exactly sure what to name this "Project." I was thinking Project Locomobile...But Locomobile was an actual car company at one time...Project Rail Roader could work too...Anyone else have some ideas *************************************************** My first thought was "Project Cannonball" because of all the obvious analogies to Casey Jones and the famous No.1 train incident in 1900.  See the explanation/historical account below.  IndySon *************************************************** On the night of April 29, 1900, Casey Jones took over the run normally assigned to <A href="http://www.watervalley.net/users/caseyjones/tate.htm">Samuel W. Tate</A>, who was ill. At that time, an engineer “held” a particular engine much like a fighter pilot is assigned an aircraft. It has always been assumed since Casey used engine 382 that night, it was assigned to him. However, the book History of the Illinois Central Railroad, which was published in 1900, shows that engine 382 was assigned to Sam Tate. Apparently Tate held the regular run of trains No. 1 (south) and No. 4 (north). In February of 1900, <A href="http://www.watervalley.net/users/caseyjones/hatfield.htm">Willard W. Hatfield</A> transferred to Water Valley leaving open his job out of Memphis, the run of the No. 3 (south) and the No. 2 (north). According to the book, he had charge of engine 384. This is the job that Casey bid on and won. The day of the wreck, Casey had apparently returned on No. 2 with engine 384 and was asked to “double back south” on Tate’s run on No. 1 with engine 382. Over the years, there has always been some question as to what the train was called. All official reports about the wreck refer to the train as the No. 1, which was the ICRR designation. Newspaper reports from the time called the train the New Orleans Express or the New Orleans Fast Mail. There have also been some references to the Southbound Fast Mail. However, there is no mention of the Cannonball. UPDATE, July 2006 - According to the Official Illinois Central public timetable dated February 2, 1900, the No. 1 train is called the New Orleans Special. So, where did the Cannonball designation come from? Very little seems to be know about that. While the name isn't found in any of the reports or articles from 1900, a newspaper report from 1903 is headlined, "I.C. Cannon Ball Wrecked Near City." The article describes the <A href="http://www.watervalley.net/users/caseyjones/382.htm#norton">wreck</A> of #1 near the Florence Pump works in south Memphis. Apparently the public referred to any fast train as a "cannonball" and it is believed that is where the name came from. It would be many years later before the #1 train was given it's final - and many believe its most impressive name, "The City of New Orleans." ************************************************ Time to go out riding the Harley again today.  Probably ride down to Lynchburg if the weather holds up.  Got some late afternoon rain yesterday...typical summer stuff.  Had ridden up to Natural Chimneys in VA and the first chimney I saw was a free-standing brick chimney, remnants of a home long gone.  I'd post a picture or two if I knew how.  Can anybody give me pointers on how, if you'd like to see a few from that trip and also of the trains at the Transportation Museum in Roanoke I took a few weeks ago, including their model railroad. Regards, IndySon
Tags (Optional)
Tags are keywords that get attached to your post. They are used to categorize your submission and make it easier to search for. To add tags to your post type a tag into the box below and click the "Add Tag" button.
Add Tag

Update Reply

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Model Railroader Newsletter See all

Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!

Subscriber & Member Login

Edit post

Post Body

Tags (Optional)

Subscriber & Member Login

Users Online

Search the Community