This is transcribed from the Railroad Gazette, which carried a monthly tally of train wrecks and accidents throughout the U.S. The listings run the gamut from the average, to the bizarre, to the quirky, to the bad. This is one of the latter, although the loss of life was relatively low compared to the physical damage. It occurred during the era when freight cars were first being equipped with air brakes. Because the conversion of the fleet took time, it was common for freight trains to have consists of air brake cars combined with hand brake cars.
November 1896
1st, 1 a.m., on Baltimore & Ohio, at Philson, Pa., eastbound freight train 74 descending a steep grade became uncontrollable and collided with westbound freight No. 95, making a very bad wreck, four engines and 56 loaded cars being wrecked. Two trainmen were injured and 3 tramps were killed and 4 injured. The first 17 cars of the train had air-brakes, and the trainmen say that they were properly coupled and tested at Sand Patch, but on passing the summit the engineman discovered, though too late, that the valve was closed between the tender and the first car. The trainmen tell a thrilling story of this wreck. The train left Sand Patch shortly after midnight. Sixteen cars next to the engine were equipped with air-brakes. Before starting into the tunnel, at the summit, which is a mile in length, the hand-brakes on three cars on the rear end were set. Two more were set after the brakemen noticed that the train was getting beyond control. By the time the east end of the tunnel had been reached, the heavily loaded cars had attained such a frightful velocity that it was impossible to check their speed on the wet rails. The brakemen and Conductor Harbaugh clung to the tops of the cars, making their way toward the rear end on all fours. Seeing that it was impossible to save the train, Flagman Geiger cut off the caboose two miles west of Bowman. Conductor Harbaugh and Brakeman Mickey uncoupled the three cars next to the caboose and stopped them. Brakeman Cornell stuck to his post on the front end of the train until the light in his lantern went out. Then he went back over the train with Fireman Owens. The collision came before they had gone two car lengths.
Engineer Zane hung to the steps of his engine for four miles. He said after the wreck that he had fully made up his mind to jump at Bowman Station, but his heart failed him, and he climbed back into the cab, resigned to meet what he thought was certain death. Bowman was the passing point for train 74 with westbound train 95. Engineer Zane knew that he was sure to crash into the ponderous engine hauling No. 95 up the mountain within a few seconds, and he hung to the whistle-lever until he saw the glimmer of its headlight. He scrambled over the tender and reached the first boxcar before the two engines came together. He knew nothing after this until Friday morning. Brakeman Cornell and Fireman Owens were likewise hurled from the top of a car over a hill to the left of the track. Both were severely cut and bruised, but managed to get among the wrecked cars first and help out the injured.
The force of the collision sent the eastbound engine plowing through the westbound train a distance of 300 yards. The wreckage was piled into a miniature mountain, and the track for 300 yards was torn as if dynamite had been exploded every foot of the way.
Engineer Kauffman of No. 95, jumped as soon as he saw the headlight of the other engine.
...Immediately following the collision was an explosion. Several cars on train 74 were loaded with flour. The supposition is that is was the flour dust that exploded. The report awoke the residents of Philson Station and sent up a cloud of milky whiteness.
The cries of the injured tramps attracted the attention of the trainmen as soon as they regained their presence of mind, and the work of rescue began. A large number of these gentry were beating their way over the mountain on train 74. There were about fifteen of them in a boxcar about the middle of the train.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.