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For all you Pennsy fans, this Tuesday February 18 2014 will mark 67 years since the crack passenger train of the Pennsylvania Railroad "The Red Arrow" came off the rails at Bennington Curve two miles east of Gallitzin PA.

It was 3:21am when the accident occurred.

 

24 passengers where killed, and 140 passengers where injured.

Out of the four engine crew members there was only one survivor, Michael S Billig who was the lead engineer in the head end K4s #422

The other K4s that was on the train was engine # 3771.

Both K4s engines were so badly damaged they never where returned to service.

 

Just your Pennsylvania Railroad history lesson for this week!!!!!!!!!!!

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Originally Posted by Kent Loudon:

What was the cause of the derailment?

Excessive speed (65+ MPH) on an 8 degree, 30 minute curve. Engineer trying to make up time on a late train, lost control on the initial maximum 2.36% downgrade known as "The Slide".

 

http://ntl1.specialcollection....p;site=dot_railroads

 

Click on "Search" on the upper left hand side and then under "Advanced Search" enter "3078" in the "File Number" box.

Last edited by Nick Chillianis

Mr. McIlany's book is where I got my information. I bought my copy of the book from him at a train show in Altoona and he is a nice guy to talk to.

 

You are right Jaygee you need to read it a couple times to let all the information sink in.

 

There are some interesting facts in this book that depending on your opinion can lean your decision on what caused the accident, Human Error or Mechanical failure.

 

The most interesting fact was how quickly a rescue was mobilized.

There were no 911 systems and paramedics with fully equipped ambulances.

The injured and the dead were hauled into Altoona on Medical trains.

Also the people that were involved from Doctors to Nurses to average everyday people.

 

If any of you travel new route 22 in PA if you are heading east toward Altoona as you start down the mountain look for the high tension lines that cross over route 22 and look off to your left. That turn Bennington Curve is where the accident occurred.

 

 

I remeber reading a book about trainwrecks.One story was about a penn steamer that derailed.There was trackwork going on at the section.In fact there was temparoy track on a bridge.It had restricted speed the locomotive jumped track and went off the bridge.Taking the passenger cars with it.I rember a trainwreck that happen in charottle nc.CSX mixed freight derail on a tresttle that went over a highway.Thankfully no cars were there and no joggers ether.

Originally Posted by seaboard streak:

I remeber reading a book about trainwrecks.One story was about a penn steamer that derailed.There was trackwork going on at the section.In fact there was temparoy track on a bridge.It had restricted speed the locomotive jumped track and went off the bridge.Taking the passenger cars with it.

That was The Broker, PRR Train 733 on February 6, 1951.

The temporary wooden trestle was installed to permit construction work for the New Jersey Turnpike.

It was the 3rd deadliest train wreck in US history, 85 killed in the accident.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodbridge_train_wreck

 

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