The fact you went to the site of the original traffic tower (w/permission) speaks to your dedication to your professionalism and your channel subscribers will be increased accordingly.
Another of his turned up in my feed and subscription button was clicked ASAP. His attention to detail is amazing and now I'm watching everything. I'm glad to help your prediction come true.
What a story. The thing that hurts the most is that they DID tell him the passing train was the wrong one but he disregarded that information. THAT could have untold this story.
Videos like yours are why Ive stopped paying for video streaming services and subscribe to RUclips premium instead. The passion and care that goes into the research, the writing, the clips...it's all top notch.
Yup, totally agree. Made the decision 2 years ago to pay for premium and never regretted it. They did just jack it up another $2 as of September 2023, but still worth it imo
A few years after this wreck the Reading and Pennsylvania merged all of their south jersey operations into one railroad the PRSL. It didn't make sense to have two identical mainlines right next to each other going to Atlantic City. Also yeah, always weird looking at old pictures where all of the forests were clear cut everywhere.
The Pennsy and Reading lines in southern New Jersey merged in 1933. It did originally make sense for both railroads to operate down that way to provide competition for the lucrative traffic in the area, as long as railroading had a monopoly on land transportation. The proliferation of automobiles (plus trucks to a lesser extent) starting in the 1920s, plus the Depression in the early '30s, cut way into their business, so it made sense for both roads to eliminate duplication and unite against the new common competitor in the area.
U know this guy right here, I’m a black man and don’t get into the whole racist politics and all because of me thinking outside the box but man the way u go in-depth on these ships and this railroad history that none of us ever knew about - I bet it’s some black history out there that u could definitely shine a light on that would probably stop or slow down all this racism crap going on, that’s just how in depth ur stories r even to the point of visual representation and visiting the sights, I appreciate and applaud ur story telling cause I honestly never knew none of this and it’s not at all explained in schools nowhere period so great job sir
Dude you do such a good job. Really proud of you. I love train stuff. Never stop looking into these. Personal request: The Pleasant Hill bus tragedy. Terrifying story - very dark. School children in a small ‘school bus’ probably no bigger than a Sprinter van. Blizzard hits, driver has nothing, not even a compass, but goes out and tries to find help & dies trying. Kids on the bus are burning books and anything else combustible to stay warm. Several die, several survive. I’ve seen one or two coverages but I like the cut of your jib. I think you could do a great job because you tend to do a great job. Get in touch with me if I can help. I’ve done some research on Google Earth and sort of understand the geography of this tragedy. It’s terrifying, and as a Dad, and a person living in a blizzard prone area, it’s just amazing that more things like this have not happened.
OMG that's horrific! Sounds like a good one for Fascinating Horror to cover as well. Also in-depth, respectful, and looks at lessons learned in the outcomes. (And as a fan of setting the same story covered by multiple channels/outlets, I'm not trying to take away from your recommendation here in the least.) ✌️🍍
Your South Jersey history videos are literally my fave. There's something about the Barrens and the surrounding areas that is so alluring and intriguing! I swear, you make another South Jersey vid, you got yourself a patron ;)
The 'siding' the freight was on was the southbound connection from the CNJ to the ACRR. It also incorporated a wye at the CNJ end which later on became known as Mary's Wye. My family had 5 generations of railroader including myself and three that worked for ACRR.
From a railroad safety perspective, the signalman was not to blame. He made mistakes, yes, but none of them should have been a source of danger. The responsibility lies squarely with the engine crew of the Flyer (though there might have been alleviating causes, it is the crew's absolute responsibility to act on outside signals). This accident resembles some in Britain, where engine crews flew past restrictive signals. In some cases they were preoccupied because of problems with the engine, but in other cases the cause for their actions could never be established.
The supposed phone call to him where he did not acknowledge the trains being switched sounds mighty suspect to me, it seems manufactured to give the duty safety manger a free pass and to pass the switching error onto the lowest person on the totem poll. If true, the phone placement was completely wrong, also staffing levels too low, what would happen when nature calls? Many management questions left unanswered, just the way the company wanted, as long as they gave people someone to blame and they were off the hook, their job was done.
The second paragraph might explain the inclusion of some footage from the London area (at 4:30) showing some London Transport underground rolling stock on some of their 4-rail track.....
If the first mistakes hadn't happened, the second mistakes couldn't have happened. The blame should have been shared, but it's just too easy to blame a dead person.
@@jylromain6439 Exactly! Why does one person have to be at fault? Both made a mistake and are at fault. The man who switched the tracks (whatever he is called) certainly blamed himself.
@@kristinstrickland1038 To give my 2 cents. That is what the signaling system is supposed to do. The signalman set the wrong path, which was clearly indicated by the signals. The flyer first ran a red (because the freighttrain was cleared on to the main line), then at least 1 set of points (the connection to the siding) then ran caution signals to indicate that the alternate route was set. In my opinion it does not matter what the signalman did as everything was ignored. The 'heros' in this story were the crew of the freighttrain. If they would have entered the main line - as they were cleared to do - the flyer would have run into the back of them at full speed. Even the signals of that crew were ignored. We will never know exactly what happened in the cab of the 434, but this mistake is clearly down to the 'midnight flyer' crew. The job of the fireman is to also check the signals. The fact that he did not react means that there was something seriously wrong. My only hope is that the survivors did not blame the signalman, as apparentely, he became suicidal.
I love trains as much as I love boats, so you branching out into covering train related history too.... That's wonderful, I really hope you do more train related history content. Your videos are just so much more in depth than most channels, it's unparalleled.
Some info for you: At 2:38, you note that the locomotive is unknown, and suggest it would have been a camelback. By this time, Camelbacks were outlawed save for a few specific 'slow speed' jobs. Ironically, commuter trains like the Midnight Flyer, were (due to multiple stops averaging out their speed) considered viable for these jobs. Everything I've seen points to this being a conventional (non camelback) 2-8-0 built by Baldwin. Possibly locomotive 983 which was built in 1900. Reading held onto their Camelbacks for quite some time, primarily by down grading them to work in yards or by placing them in 'mothballs' on various holding tracks while they waited to be converted into regular conventional steam locomotives. This process was put on hold when WW2 started, with every available locomotive being pressed into service for the war effort, only to be run until they broke and summarily scrapped. You also make a technical mistake at 7:20 when you say the "hand brakes weren't applied". This is reasonable, as railroad hand brakes really don't have the power to stop a train. They're generally used to just keep cars from rolling around when in yards. Also, following up with that, trains in this era did not have 'automatic emergency brakes'. Rather, the engineer controlled the brakes from the cab. So, in order to apply them, he would have to throw the brakes on full. The only 'automatic' brakes trains had then, was if one of their air hoses became detached. This would put the train in 'emergency', but isn't something that happens if the train is over speed.
I am a Transit and Railway Historian for 60 years. You have done a fantastic job in covering and explaining the Winslow Junction Train Wreck, which I have been well aware of for many decades. Excellent video compilation & presentation you have created here. However --- ONE CORRECTION must be noted: --- In film counter numbers 4:30 thru 4:35, check out the scene from inside the tower house and the view down to track and passenger train yards -- with the tower man inside the tower house passing by the camera -- that tower is quite very far from Winslow junction, In fact it's quite very far from New Jersey. LOOK at the clip -- its actually not in the USA at all -- its a tower house and tower man in a electric train outdoor yard of the LONDON UNDERGROUND subway system in the United Kingdom (England !) With the classic London Underground MU subway train cars plainly seen outside the tower windows.!! I thought it was a funny clip being the rest of the film and video presentation, scenes, and history - is quite top notch and first class ! Just a heads up !
Exceptional work man, as a railroader/railfan there are very few historically accurate and diligently researched US railroad wreck documentaries like this. Keep up the great work!
...I wish I could do what you do, going to all these forgotten tragedies, being where history has happened....your level of knowledge is amazing, its obvious you do your homework....
I've come back to re watch some of my favorite doco's that you've put together. Beautifully crafted with layover photos of the then layered over what is there today in the exact spot. You've combined a mix of history/ nostalgia/horrific/and the wistful sound of a train whistling in panic and rails and wheels buckling, from a faintly distance in the past.
Really enjoyed this video. I like how you meld the past and present to show what is left where the event took place. Another Reading wreck that would be interesting to see you do is the Camp Hill crash of an excursion train out of Reading terminal with an inbound regular train.
Each train accident episode takes me back to when I was a child and on a school bus that accidentally polled in front of a slow moving engine. We all made it out but I still remember that noise. God bless the family's effected.
Very well documented. As a retired railroader myself take great interest in these disasters. I think a large contributing factor was the isolation between the fireman and engineer as they are on opposite sides of the boiler. The camelback locomotives were eventual outlawed. Today everyone in the cab must communicate to each other verbally what the signal is displaying as they as soon as they can observe them and make sure the train complies to the indication shown.
I just came across your channel yesterday and love the content you make! I’m now happily subscribed. I’m so fascinated by your railroad videos, specifically. Nicely done!
This was awesome! I’ve never heard about this train wreck before, and it’s right from where I live. I work in Medford, and pass through Chatsworth on a regular basis, and this is the first time I’ve ever learned about this. Heck! I’ve even rode the A/C line from the Atco Train station into Philadelphia and have never heard of this. Makes me sad that so many train lines have been ripped up and removed. If you walk into Smithville Park in Southampton, NJ - you will still see the remnants of the old railroad trestle. I’m old/middle aged, so I can honestly say that when I moved into the area in Burlington County that I live now - trains had once passed through and their train horns could be heard in the distance on a hot summer night with my windows open. I miss those horns.
Thanks for that…but is this “awesome!” Tragic would be a better description. Awesome is so overused now as to be meaningless. Did this “accident” really inspire awe?
Nothing further on the well produced/presented video. I did get a "kick"(not on Rte 66), seeing you refer to yourself as "middle to old age." It's as if you started texting @ 64yrs and finished right after turning the clock forward 65 yrs. at the finish. My age range is 68 turning to senility.
Thank you very much for this!! With the exception of the ten years 2006-2016 I spent up in Jim Thorpe PA, the rest of my life, also currently I've been in Philadelphia not far from where this line ran so I am very familiar with the area but I never knew about this event.. I enjoy watching these kind of documentaries and finding out the localized stories and detailed history about so many of the places we've been to or passed right by on a daily basis throughout our life. You do a really good job putting these videos together with relevant footage and showing the various locations as they are currently all while moving the story along steadily without losing sync or pace with the commentary with the perfect amount of music and suspense!! Well done!! Please keep them coming, I bet there is plenty of events in and around Jim Thorpe , Carbon County and through the Lehigh Valley that you'd make great content out of!!!
Great and informative video!! The history of train accidents is so fascinating because trains are considered so safe now. It's interesting to learn about how the industry has changed due to sad events like this. Though that big black bird was quite the jumpscare! It shocked me a bit. :D
As someone who lives near by they have gotten rid of a lot of the old cars. They used to be fun to visit but due to people visiting them at all they got rid of all but one car last time I was there. It’s still a cool place to look around as long as you’re careful with the tracks. I didn’t know this happened and I may go back just cause of the history I learned from this video. That and to maybe find the tower.
Oh, my God, THAT moment around 15:30... you handled that way better than I would have. Goodness gracious! Love the videos and history! Keep up the excellent work!
Great video. Especially the visit to the former tower site. Showing the alternate directions of the track makes it a graphic visualization of how different it was for a high speed train to be sent veering so sharply to the right rather than going straight through.
As much as I love the maritime videos I can’t get enough of your railroad videos. One that I would love to hear you commentate and do is the PRR Red Arrow wreck. Keep up the great work. Love this channel.
I heard a story as a kid from PTC employees that a worker for the P&W was killed when he pissed on the third rail. I had a neighbor in the 1960s who was a track worker on the Frankford El and was hospitalized with electric burns when his shovel touched the third rail. Further research or refer to Mythbusters? Thank you for your awesome videos.
This is so fascinating to me. I LOVE learning of old abandoned railroads and tragic train wrecks. I discovered there was a terrible train disaster close to where i live in Meldrim, GA during the late 1950s where a train derailed off a bridge and two tankers exploded killing 23-24 people who were enjoying a day by the river. As tragic as it is, i love learning about stuff like that. Especially seeing the difference in the then and now of train tracks or where train tracks use to be.
Love your prose. The research on topic is notable and the stories are always presented with a compelling human aspect. I ordered a copy of The Sea Shall Embrace Them on your recommendation, after watching that piece (ss arctic) probably the most incredible story I've heard. Stories that need telling. Awesome work and thanks for venturing into rail disasters.
My grandfather was graduated from. Washington Navel school in late October of 1918 and was sent back home to Cincinnati by rail in Dec. 1918. He arrived at the Grand Central Station at 3rd and Central St. He was driving me to Union Terminal to board a Pullman sleeper to DC via Chesapeke & Ohio Railway. He told me his RR wreak Story returning home after his discharge from US Navy. He was booked on a m.ainline passenger express from DC Union Station to Cincinnati. He was in the smoker lounge when suddenly there was a loud crash and the men were sent flying to the foor. His train collded with a stalled troop train, killing some wooded soldiers. A woman in a Pullman was severely injured and evacuated to a hospital. The express was double locomotive, and did not derail. The first wreaked engine was Un coupled, and the express backed away and eventually continued on to Cincinnati in time for Christmas. Are there any records of this accident on the C&O Lines or perhaps the B&O RR? These two Railway routes would presumably be the direct routes from DC to Cincinnati in 1918.
Usually the slow train would be held on another track until the fast train had passed allowing the goods train to pass through the junction before the slow got there. Even in the UK, in this era, safety was obviously far better than the US as trains were not allowed to enter blocks until another train had passed through, some rails having a token system to pass through a block.
This video did teach me something. Before Pennsylvania and Reading Seashore Lines, there were two competing main lines side-by-side. This ROW that this was on is gone east of the junction because it was consolidated into the one north of it.
Wow! I didn’t know about this one! It was a real nail biter!! 😮 Excellent retelling of this train disaster. I felt like I was actually there. I love when you are showing us the tracks at the end, and there’s a deer standing upon them. ❤❤❤
Very well done! It was incredible that you were able to go to the old tower. I wish you would do more of these... you have a very nice way of putting them together.
Another horrific rail crash just north of here that might be worth covering is Extra 1104 which crashed in Rockport NJ in 1926. A tragic hero emerged out of the disaster. Your story telling would probably memorialize the event well.
Extremely well done as always, Tom. Very professional and educational. I'm a truck driver and history buff, and it is truly a pleasure to have your company on the road. Side note: I'm also a young man who sports a mustache, and I think you wear yours very well. 😊 -John
That is Interesting. Thank for sharing this Tom. I know you have a video on the Strasburg Pennsylvania Railroad. If your in the San Luis Valley come ride the Cumbers and Toltec Scenic Railroad.
The amount of work in researching and production, by you and your crew, is truly outstanding. You deserve all the accolades, should they be forthcoming. Can't wait for the next instalment.
Dude this is so the best kind of content! I am hooked on your stuff and keep it up! I love your passion for it and you are really hooking us history nerds up with awesome videos!
I really enjoy your videos, the quality is superb. When it comes to railway traffic you have to come to the UK, where you will redefine busy and fast. There's many lines to choose from, go to Crewe 14 platforms and constantly busy, freight depot north of Birmingham or mainline trains exceeding 155mph. Looking forward to your next video.
that would be Bescot presumably... also did you notice a bit of footage from an LMS film called "sentinels of safety" leaving the old pre-war wooden platforms at Euston circa 1936
Your videos are very informative and mature. I'm so happy to learn and not be inundated with silly comments, jokes, and cartoons. I appreciate the academic approach and depth. Please supply a bibliography for those interested to learn more and research ourselves. Very excellent work.
I'm going to get into a discussion of how junctions like this work, and I'm going to try to do it in layman's terms. Working for the railroad, it is hard to avoid the habit of speaking in jargon... These towers are called "interlocking towers," and the junctions they control are called "interlockings." This is because the system of levers that set the switches and signals are interlocked so that it is impossible to line conflicting train movements. With the freight train lined for a different route than that of the passenger train, the oncoming passenger train passed a signal indicating it would be required to stop at the junction before passing the stop signal at the junction itself. It then would have run through the switch lined for the freight train. This would have been a "trailing point" switch, meaning the train was moving in the direction of two tracks coming together as opposed to two tracks splitting in different directions. This would have simply forced the switch points to move for the passenger train's passage, and would not cause a derailment. With the signal system interlocked, it would have been impossible for the passenger train to have a "proceed" signal at the junction with this switch lined against it. The derailment was initiated at the "facing point" switch where the passenger train was diverted onto the branch and into the curve. Even if there was not a sharp curve after the switch, it would be a case of extraordinary luck for a train moving at 75mph to pass through it without derailing. The accident report is correct that if the passenger train were operated in accordance with the lineside signals, it would have just resulted in a delay. For whatever reason the signals were not acted upon, and the only person who could answer the question as to why that was did not survive the wreck. The rules that govern junctions such as this are largely the same to this day.
What kind of switches were in operation at this time? I know certain types or switches are trailable but even today we have some on our rail alignment that are not
@@simongiavaras7787 Some switches in yards and on secondary lines are trailable -switches in main line interlockings are not. However at the speed the train was traveling, it would not have made a difference. The train would have simply broken the control rods or the switch bridle and forced its way through the switch.
Props to you for saying “Reading” properly. I’ve dealt with countless people who pronounce my hometown as “reeding”. Even had a few who kept trying to correct me after explaining I grew up there. Those games of Monopoly were fun
Speaking of the "surprise" at the old tower foundation. It is now gone, but when I was a kid there was an abandoned switch tower in Bridgeport CT on the main line off of Fairfield Ave - across from the base of the I-95 WB exit ramp to Fairfield Ave - that was known to be haunted when in use.
Wow! yet another excellent video, thank you. A little known train disaster that occurred years ago was the Ashtabula Ohio bridge collapse, large loss of life in a very tragic way, followed by a cover up and even a murder to hush the main witness. The depot, and the reconstructed bridge are still there, and a mass grave for the unrecognizable victims is just a short drive away. Low hanging fruit, just saying. Thanks again for the wonderful videos!
I was thinking the old tower would be a good spot for one of those cheesy ghost hunting shows, (with the property owners permission of course) when out flew that black crow jamming my heart up in my throat and taking a few years off my life I'm sure. Nice video, thanks, I think.
The fact you went to the site of the original traffic tower (w/permission) speaks to your dedication to your professionalism and your channel subscribers will be increased accordingly.
I literally subscribed because of this fantastic comment
His stuff is so high quality and never gets dull
Another of his turned up in my feed and subscription button was clicked ASAP. His attention to detail is amazing and now I'm watching everything. I'm glad to help your prediction come true.
Honestly, how does this man do it?
A pity that the structure's current owner hasn't repurposed it. I can imagine it'd be a viable base for a house.
What a story. The thing that hurts the most is that they DID tell him the passing train was the wrong one but he disregarded that information. THAT could have untold this story.
Dude you should do more of these, the way you go in depth is awesome. It’s sad that you only have two so far, so for now I just have to rewatch them
I agree, keep up the great work. Thanks!
Fascinating Horror channel is good too
Yes
These things take a ton of research and time. Just gotta be patient.
What are you talking about? He's got a lot of videos going back two years.
Videos like yours are why Ive stopped paying for video streaming services and subscribe to RUclips premium instead. The passion and care that goes into the research, the writing, the clips...it's all top notch.
Thank you!
Yup, totally agree. Made the decision 2 years ago to pay for premium and never regretted it. They did just jack it up another $2 as of September 2023, but still worth it imo
A few years after this wreck the Reading and Pennsylvania merged all of their south jersey operations into one railroad the PRSL. It didn't make sense to have two identical mainlines right next to each other going to Atlantic City.
Also yeah, always weird looking at old pictures where all of the forests were clear cut everywhere.
The Pennsy and Reading lines in southern New Jersey merged in 1933. It did originally make sense for both railroads to operate down that way to provide competition for the lucrative traffic in the area, as long as railroading had a monopoly on land transportation. The proliferation of automobiles (plus trucks to a lesser extent) starting in the 1920s, plus the Depression in the early '30s, cut way into their business, so it made sense for both roads to eliminate duplication and unite against the new common competitor in the area.
U know this guy right here, I’m a black man and don’t get into the whole racist politics and all because of me thinking outside the box but man the way u go in-depth on these ships and this railroad history that none of us ever knew about - I bet it’s some black history out there that u could definitely shine a light on that would probably stop or slow down all this racism crap going on, that’s just how in depth ur stories r even to the point of visual representation and visiting the sights, I appreciate and applaud ur story telling cause I honestly never knew none of this and it’s not at all explained in schools nowhere period so great job sir
Dude you do such a good job. Really proud of you. I love train stuff. Never stop looking into these. Personal request: The Pleasant Hill bus tragedy. Terrifying story - very dark. School children in a small ‘school bus’ probably no bigger than a Sprinter van. Blizzard hits, driver has nothing, not even a compass, but goes out and tries to find help & dies trying. Kids on the bus are burning books and anything else combustible to stay warm. Several die, several survive. I’ve seen one or two coverages but I like the cut of your jib. I think you could do a great job because you tend to do a great job. Get in touch with me if I can help. I’ve done some research on Google Earth and sort of understand the geography of this tragedy. It’s terrifying, and as a Dad, and a person living in a blizzard prone area, it’s just amazing that more things like this have not happened.
That was a horrific tragedy! And the poor kids hard to fathom how horrific that would be. Would be great to see Tom cover that one.
@@navalhistoryhub3748 we are on the same page.
OMG that's horrific! Sounds like a good one for Fascinating Horror to cover as well. Also in-depth, respectful, and looks at lessons learned in the outcomes. (And as a fan of setting the same story covered by multiple channels/outlets, I'm not trying to take away from your recommendation here in the least.) ✌️🍍
Loving the quality of these, and the shots of the seldom-remembered railroad are simply gorgeous. 👍
Keeping the memory alive is a calling you handle well.
Your South Jersey history videos are literally my fave. There's something about the Barrens and the surrounding areas that is so alluring and intriguing! I swear, you make another South Jersey vid, you got yourself a patron ;)
The 'siding' the freight was on was the southbound connection from the CNJ to the ACRR. It also incorporated a wye at the CNJ end which later on became known as Mary's Wye. My family had 5 generations of railroader including myself and three that worked for ACRR.
From a railroad safety perspective, the signalman was not to blame. He made mistakes, yes, but none of them should have been a source of danger. The responsibility lies squarely with the engine crew of the Flyer (though there might have been alleviating causes, it is the crew's absolute responsibility to act on outside signals).
This accident resembles some in Britain, where engine crews flew past restrictive signals. In some cases they were preoccupied because of problems with the engine, but in other cases the cause for their actions could never be established.
The supposed phone call to him where he did not acknowledge the trains being switched sounds mighty suspect to me, it seems manufactured to give the duty safety manger a free pass and to pass the switching error onto the lowest person on the totem poll. If true, the phone placement was completely wrong, also staffing levels too low, what would happen when nature calls? Many management questions left unanswered, just the way the company wanted, as long as they gave people someone to blame and they were off the hook, their job was done.
The second paragraph might explain the inclusion of some footage from the London area (at 4:30) showing some London Transport underground rolling stock on some of their 4-rail track.....
If the first mistakes hadn't happened, the second mistakes couldn't have happened. The blame should have been shared, but it's just too easy to blame a dead person.
@@jylromain6439 Exactly! Why does one person have to be at fault? Both made a mistake and are at fault. The man who switched the tracks (whatever he is called) certainly blamed himself.
@@kristinstrickland1038 To give my 2 cents. That is what the signaling system is supposed to do. The signalman set the wrong path, which was clearly indicated by the signals. The flyer first ran a red (because the freighttrain was cleared on to the main line), then at least 1 set of points (the connection to the siding) then ran caution signals to indicate that the alternate route was set. In my opinion it does not matter what the signalman did as everything was ignored.
The 'heros' in this story were the crew of the freighttrain. If they would have entered the main line - as they were cleared to do - the flyer would have run into the back of them at full speed. Even the signals of that crew were ignored. We will never know exactly what happened in the cab of the 434, but this mistake is clearly down to the 'midnight flyer' crew. The job of the fireman is to also check the signals. The fact that he did not react means that there was something seriously wrong.
My only hope is that the survivors did not blame the signalman, as apparentely, he became suicidal.
I love trains as much as I love boats, so you branching out into covering train related history too.... That's wonderful, I really hope you do more train related history content. Your videos are just so much more in depth than most channels, it's unparalleled.
Some info for you:
At 2:38, you note that the locomotive is unknown, and suggest it would have been a camelback. By this time, Camelbacks were outlawed save for a few specific 'slow speed' jobs. Ironically, commuter trains like the Midnight Flyer, were (due to multiple stops averaging out their speed) considered viable for these jobs. Everything I've seen points to this being a conventional (non camelback) 2-8-0 built by Baldwin. Possibly locomotive 983 which was built in 1900.
Reading held onto their Camelbacks for quite some time, primarily by down grading them to work in yards or by placing them in 'mothballs' on various holding tracks while they waited to be converted into regular conventional steam locomotives. This process was put on hold when WW2 started, with every available locomotive being pressed into service for the war effort, only to be run until they broke and summarily scrapped.
You also make a technical mistake at 7:20 when you say the "hand brakes weren't applied". This is reasonable, as railroad hand brakes really don't have the power to stop a train. They're generally used to just keep cars from rolling around when in yards. Also, following up with that, trains in this era did not have 'automatic emergency brakes'. Rather, the engineer controlled the brakes from the cab. So, in order to apply them, he would have to throw the brakes on full. The only 'automatic' brakes trains had then, was if one of their air hoses became detached. This would put the train in 'emergency', but isn't something that happens if the train is over speed.
I am a Transit and Railway Historian for 60 years. You have done a fantastic job in covering and explaining the Winslow Junction Train Wreck, which I have been well aware of for many decades. Excellent video compilation & presentation you have created here. However --- ONE CORRECTION must be noted: --- In film counter numbers 4:30 thru 4:35, check out the scene from inside the tower house and the view down to track and passenger train yards -- with the tower man inside the tower house passing by the camera -- that tower is quite very far from Winslow junction, In fact it's quite very far from New Jersey. LOOK at the clip -- its actually not in the USA at all -- its a tower house and tower man in a electric train outdoor yard of the LONDON UNDERGROUND subway system in the United Kingdom (England !) With the classic London Underground MU subway train cars plainly seen outside the tower windows.!! I thought it was a funny clip being the rest of the film and video presentation, scenes, and history - is quite top notch and first class ! Just a heads up !
Exceptional work man, as a railroader/railfan there are very few historically accurate and diligently researched US railroad wreck documentaries like this. Keep up the great work!
I really enjoy your videos that bring the past back to us. Thank you and appreciate your efforts.....
...I wish I could do what you do, going to all these forgotten tragedies, being where history has happened....your level of knowledge is amazing, its obvious you do your homework....
You are just the perfect story teller for me man thankyou for teaching me so much about the collins line and now this train disaster...
I've come back to re watch some of my favorite doco's that you've put together.
Beautifully crafted with layover photos of the then layered over what is there today in the exact spot. You've combined a mix of history/ nostalgia/horrific/and the wistful sound of a train whistling in panic and rails and wheels buckling, from a faintly distance in the past.
Really enjoyed this video. I like how you meld the past and present to show what is left where the event took place.
Another Reading wreck that would be interesting to see you do is the Camp Hill crash of an excursion train out of Reading terminal with an inbound regular train.
Each train accident episode takes me back to when I was a child and on a school bus that accidentally polled in front of a slow moving engine. We all made it out but I still remember that noise. God bless the family's effected.
Very well documented. As a retired railroader myself take great interest in these disasters. I think a large contributing factor was the isolation between the fireman and engineer as they are on opposite sides of the boiler. The camelback locomotives were eventual outlawed. Today everyone in the cab must communicate to each other verbally what the signal is displaying as they as soon as they can observe them and make sure the train complies to the indication shown.
I just came across your channel yesterday and love the content you make! I’m now happily subscribed. I’m so fascinated by your railroad videos, specifically. Nicely done!
This was awesome! I’ve never heard about this train wreck before, and it’s right from where I live. I work in Medford, and pass through Chatsworth on a regular basis, and this is the first time I’ve ever learned about this. Heck! I’ve even rode the A/C line from the Atco Train station into Philadelphia and have never heard of this.
Makes me sad that so many train lines have been ripped up and removed. If you walk into Smithville Park in Southampton, NJ - you will still see the remnants of the old railroad trestle. I’m old/middle aged, so I can honestly say that when I moved into the area in Burlington County that I live now - trains had once passed through and their train horns could be heard in the distance on a hot summer night with my windows open. I miss those horns.
Thanks for that…but is this “awesome!”
Tragic would be a better description.
Awesome is so overused now as to be meaningless.
Did this “accident” really inspire awe?
Nothing further on the well produced/presented video.
I did get a "kick"(not on Rte 66), seeing you refer to yourself as "middle to old age." It's as if you started texting @ 64yrs and finished right after turning the clock forward 65 yrs. at the finish. My age range is 68 turning to senility.
@@allegra0 He meant the video was awesome, not the accident.
Thank you very much for this!! With the exception of the ten years 2006-2016 I spent up in Jim Thorpe PA, the rest of my life, also currently I've been in Philadelphia not far from where this line ran so I am very familiar with the area but I never knew about this event.. I enjoy watching these kind of documentaries and finding out the localized stories and detailed history about so many of the places we've been to or passed right by on a daily basis throughout our life. You do a really good job putting these videos together with relevant footage and showing the various locations as they are currently all while moving the story along steadily without losing sync or pace with the commentary with the perfect amount of music and suspense!!
Well done!!
Please keep them coming, I bet there is plenty of events in and around Jim Thorpe , Carbon County and through the Lehigh Valley that you'd make great content out of!!!
Disobeying orders from the train dispatcher used to the worst offense on the railroad and this is the reason why. Great reporting by the way.
I always enjoy listening to you tell stories of the past...
This area is 15 minutes from my house. I’ve known of the Blue Comet wreck but not this one. Thank you for your content and service to history.
Great and informative video!! The history of train accidents is so fascinating because trains are considered so safe now. It's interesting to learn about how the industry has changed due to sad events like this. Though that big black bird was quite the jumpscare! It shocked me a bit. :D
I really like your documentaries. :) Thanx
That you travel to the place where it happend to get these amazing shots is just amazing. Gives the viewer a way better view of what happend.
The work that goes into these clips for us to watch is probaly overlooked so thank you
Thank you for making sure that our History is saved. You do Excellent Work Sir.
As someone who lives near by they have gotten rid of a lot of the old cars. They used to be fun to visit but due to people visiting them at all they got rid of all but one car last time I was there. It’s still a cool place to look around as long as you’re careful with the tracks. I didn’t know this happened and I may go back just cause of the history I learned from this video. That and to maybe find the tower.
Your explanations are wonderful and your videos are clear and sharp
Been a railfan since 1969. You did an exemplary job on this video! 3 👍👍👍
I just found your channel a few days ago, but already know your vids are the best I’ve seen of all the RUclips video channels.
Agreed. Tom is raising the bar for these documentaries.
Oh, my God, THAT moment around 15:30... you handled that way better than I would have. Goodness gracious!
Love the videos and history! Keep up the excellent work!
Idk how I've only just found this wonderful channel!!!
Great video. Especially the visit to the former tower site. Showing the alternate directions of the track makes it a graphic visualization of how different it was for a high speed train to be sent veering so sharply to the right rather than going straight through.
Really well told - great work! Revealing the location of the original tower at the end was very evocative.
Fun fact in one of the abandoned cars at Winslow junction is a passenger car of the once-famous CRRNJ Blue Comet
And there's another one in Cape May too that I'm proud to say is being restored
Above and beyond, my friend! This is great research, and excellent storytelling too. I just put the bell on to watch for future vids from you!!
Being from Atco, NJ it's haunting cool as I've rode these tracks for years on my dirtbikes! Mad luv n respect
thank you for sharing. It is great to see young people researching and documenting these historic events.
As much as I love the maritime videos I can’t get enough of your railroad videos. One that I would love to hear you commentate and do is the PRR Red Arrow wreck. Keep up the great work. Love this channel.
I heard a story as a kid from PTC employees that a worker for the P&W was killed when he pissed on the third rail. I had a neighbor in the 1960s who was a track worker on the Frankford El and was hospitalized with electric burns when his shovel touched the third rail. Further research or refer to Mythbusters? Thank you for your awesome videos.
Please do more of these. I love how you explain the details of the entire incident
I love the time and effort you put into these videos. You make it easy listening - even when the history you are documenting is hard and tragic
This is so fascinating to me. I LOVE learning of old abandoned railroads and tragic train wrecks. I discovered there was a terrible train disaster close to where i live in Meldrim, GA during the late 1950s where a train derailed off a bridge and two tankers exploded killing 23-24 people who were enjoying a day by the river. As tragic as it is, i love learning about stuff like that. Especially seeing the difference in the then and now of train tracks or where train tracks use to be.
Love your prose. The research on topic is notable and the stories are always presented with a compelling human aspect.
I ordered a copy of The Sea Shall Embrace Them on your recommendation, after watching that piece (ss arctic) probably the most incredible story I've heard. Stories that need telling.
Awesome work and thanks for venturing into rail disasters.
My grandfather was graduated from. Washington Navel school in late October of 1918 and was sent back home to Cincinnati by rail in Dec. 1918. He arrived at the Grand Central Station at 3rd and Central St. He was driving me to Union Terminal to board a Pullman sleeper to DC via Chesapeke & Ohio Railway. He told me his RR wreak
Story returning home after his discharge from US Navy. He was booked on a m.ainline passenger express from DC Union Station to Cincinnati. He was in the smoker lounge when suddenly there
was a loud crash and the men were sent flying to the foor. His train collded with a stalled troop train, killing some wooded soldiers. A woman in a Pullman was severely injured and evacuated to a hospital. The express was double locomotive, and did not derail. The first wreaked engine was Un coupled, and the express backed away and eventually continued on to Cincinnati in time for Christmas.
Are there any records of this accident on the C&O Lines or perhaps the B&O RR?
These two Railway routes would presumably be the direct routes from DC to Cincinnati in 1918.
You're one of my favorite historians, im going to show your channel to one of my old teachers. Hopefully they show your videos in school
Thank you!
@@PartTimeExplorer keep up the good work🤙
You produce some of the most professional, clear, and thoughtful videos!!!!! Thank You!!!!
Usually the slow train would be held on another track until the fast train had passed allowing the goods train to pass through the junction before the slow got there. Even in the UK, in this era, safety was obviously far better than the US as trains were not allowed to enter blocks until another train had passed through, some rails having a token system to pass through a block.
This video did teach me something. Before Pennsylvania and Reading Seashore Lines, there were two competing main lines side-by-side.
This ROW that this was on is gone east of the junction because it was consolidated into the one north of it.
Excellent video! Being a South Jersey native, the historical gems you cover here are particularly fascinating.
Nicely done! I live next to this line and have for almost 60 years. Grew up playing on or near the tracks. I know the story of the Flyer well.
Wow! I didn’t know about this one! It was a real nail biter!! 😮 Excellent retelling of this train disaster. I felt like I was actually there. I love when you are showing us the tracks at the end, and there’s a deer standing upon them. ❤❤❤
Truly a well-done piece. Thank you, sir.
Very well done! It was incredible that you were able to go to the old tower. I wish you would do more of these... you have a very nice way of putting them together.
Another horrific rail crash just north of here that might be worth covering is Extra 1104 which crashed in Rockport NJ in 1926. A tragic hero emerged out of the disaster. Your story telling would probably memorialize the event well.
Extremely well done as always, Tom. Very professional and educational. I'm a truck driver and history buff, and it is truly a pleasure to have your company on the road. Side note: I'm also a young man who sports a mustache, and I think you wear yours very well. 😊 -John
Great job my man!!😮
Please keep doing train wreck documentaries as well as your regular content, I thoroughly enjoy all of your videos, so keep up the good work!
I always very much enjoy your presentations of history and the effort you make to include contemporary photos to go with your then and now part.
This was great nice job and thanks for the story.
That is Interesting. Thank for sharing this Tom. I know you have a video on the Strasburg Pennsylvania Railroad. If your in the San Luis Valley come ride the Cumbers and Toltec Scenic Railroad.
I have beard about Winslow Junction and have seen a few of the cars when it was still semi-active. This production was really eye-opening. Thanks!
Very cool!! I live nearby, moved here 3 yrs ago. Thanks for sharing this story! Great job!
Happy to subscribe 😊
Amazing anyone survived... well done again and thank you.
The amount of work in researching and production, by you and your crew, is truly outstanding. You deserve all the accolades, should they be forthcoming. Can't wait for the next instalment.
My Dad was a Towerman for the Erie RR. Thankfully he never had the misfortune to be involved in a wreck.
Then and now photos are so surreal. It's like you can't believe it but you know that's how it uses to be. Like it's from another dimension.
Great video. Have you thought of doing a video of the Frankford Junction wreck of the Congressional in 1943?
This looks good. Getting my coffee and sitting in for another great video! 👍
As a local I really enjoyed your analysis
As a signalman, I would paint over graffiti whenever it reared its head on RR property.My mother was born in 1922. Good research!
Dude this is so the best kind of content! I am hooked on your stuff and keep it up! I love your passion for it and you are really hooking us history nerds up with awesome videos!
Wonderful stuff! :) Fascinating to see how the landscape changed
Excellent job of putting together the little known facts and bringing it back to life. I found it informative and interesting.
I really enjoy your videos, the quality is superb. When it comes to railway traffic you have to come to the UK, where you will redefine busy and fast. There's many lines to choose from, go to Crewe 14 platforms and constantly busy, freight depot north of Birmingham or mainline trains exceeding 155mph. Looking forward to your next video.
that would be Bescot presumably... also did you notice a bit of footage from an LMS film called "sentinels of safety" leaving the old pre-war wooden platforms at Euston circa 1936
Your videos are very informative and mature. I'm so happy to learn and not be inundated with silly comments, jokes, and cartoons. I appreciate the academic approach and depth. Please supply a bibliography for those interested to learn more and research ourselves. Very excellent work.
Absolutely Excellent. Top notch video documentary and as always…Great job and please keep up the great work!
It is always easier to blame a dead man than anyone else involved.
That place was named after Stephen Winslow, my great grandfather. I am a Winslow
Very well done! I can tell you did a lot of research and put it all together for this video. Bravo
Thankful for your work and effort! Cheers from Bavaria!
Even with just the close-captioning this was a fantastic video. Excellent presentation and information.
I love this channel, I love history and I'm heavy into train, ship, aeroplane disasters,
I'm going to get into a discussion of how junctions like this work, and I'm going to try to do it in layman's terms. Working for the railroad, it is hard to avoid the habit of speaking in jargon...
These towers are called "interlocking towers," and the junctions they control are called "interlockings." This is because the system of levers that set the switches and signals are interlocked so that it is impossible to line conflicting train movements.
With the freight train lined for a different route than that of the passenger train, the oncoming passenger train passed a signal indicating it would be required to stop at the junction before passing the stop signal at the junction itself.
It then would have run through the switch lined for the freight train. This would have been a "trailing point" switch, meaning the train was moving in the direction of two tracks coming together as opposed to two tracks splitting in different directions. This would have simply forced the switch points to move for the passenger train's passage, and would not cause a derailment. With the signal system interlocked, it would have been impossible for the passenger train to have a "proceed" signal at the junction with this switch lined against it.
The derailment was initiated at the "facing point" switch where the passenger train was diverted onto the branch and into the curve. Even if there was not a sharp curve after the switch, it would be a case of extraordinary luck for a train moving at 75mph to pass through it without derailing.
The accident report is correct that if the passenger train were operated in accordance with the lineside signals, it would have just resulted in a delay. For whatever reason the signals were not acted upon, and the only person who could answer the question as to why that was did not survive the wreck.
The rules that govern junctions such as this are largely the same to this day.
What kind of switches were in operation at this time? I know certain types or switches are trailable but even today we have some on our rail alignment that are not
@@simongiavaras7787 Some switches in yards and on secondary lines are trailable -switches in main line interlockings are not. However at the speed the train was traveling, it would not have made a difference. The train would have simply broken the control rods or the switch bridle and forced its way through the switch.
It was amazing to see the old stone foundation come into view in the woods there. Thanks for this important coverage of this historic event.
Props to you for saying “Reading” properly. I’ve dealt with countless people who pronounce my hometown as “reeding”. Even had a few who kept trying to correct me after explaining I grew up there. Those games of Monopoly were fun
Imagine saying someone's pronunciation of a place is wrong despite the person growing up there lol
Please more videos where you find old overgrown ruins in the woods! That was so cool! Great video!
Speaking of the "surprise" at the old tower foundation. It is now gone, but when I was a kid there was an abandoned switch tower in Bridgeport CT on the main line off of Fairfield Ave - across from the base of the I-95 WB exit ramp to Fairfield Ave - that was known to be haunted when in use.
Burr Road, I worked there.
Wow! yet another excellent video, thank you. A little known train disaster that occurred years ago was the Ashtabula Ohio bridge collapse, large loss of life in a very tragic way, followed by a cover up and even a murder to hush the main witness. The depot, and the reconstructed bridge are still there, and a mass grave for the unrecognizable victims is just a short drive away. Low hanging fruit, just saying. Thanks again for the wonderful videos!
That sounds interesting and horrifying at the same time. Let's hope Tom and Emma can do a video about it.
What a fabulous report. I found your detail unsurpassed. Please keep your reports coming.
Excellent work, and very well presented. The one blessing with this disaster was the lack of fire which would've no doubt increased the death toll.
I love these rail road disaster documentaries, they are well worded and very entertaining
I was thinking the old tower would be a good spot for one of those cheesy ghost hunting shows, (with the property owners permission of course) when out flew that black crow jamming my heart up in my throat and taking a few years off my life I'm sure. Nice video, thanks, I think.
Always great stuff, Tom. Thanks!