Re: (erielack) The March 9, 1973 head-on wreck at NJ tower

["GORDON SMITH" <kc2bw_@_worldnet.att.net>]

It was not assumed that they had the signal at NJ. The fog was extremely
thick that morning. The crew got lost in it, passed under the bridge at
Arden, which was our warning, when we heard the roar of the engine, that we
were getting close to the interlocking. But they had the cab windows closed,
and the U-34s were very noisey in the cab when in passenger run. So much so
that they didn't hear themselves pass under the bridge. They were passing
thru NJ before they knew what had happened. It wasn't 30 seconds before they
were hit from behind.

Gordon

To reply take the 33  from the address



> > > On this morning it was foggy as X51 approached NJ on track 2.  Fast
> closing
> > > in
> > > also on NJ was 99 on track 1.  Apparently the deadhead assumed he'd
have
> the
> > > dwarf.
> > >
> > > Instead the route was lined for CX99 up the Graham Line.  X51 wasn't
> > > expecting
> > > this, and compounded by poor visibility, didn't see the dwarf signal,
> and
> > > ran
> > > through the switch into the interlocking, stopping when he realized he
> was
> > > headed up the Graham.  Into his rear came 99, which had been running
at
> > > authorized speed approaching NJ, as they had a favorable aspect at
NJ's
> > > distant
> > > signal, passing it before X51 fouled the interlocking.
> > >
> > > Thankfully, no fatalities.
> > >
> > > >
> > > >My records show that EL/NJT Comet I cars 1502, 1522, 1607, 1755, and
> 1758
> > > were
> > >
> > > >involved in a head-on wreck with a freight at Newburgh Jct on 3-9-73.
> Lead
> > > unit
> > > >on the freight was U-33C 3305, which lost its cab in the wreck.  All
of
> the
> > > >commuter cars were reportedly scrapped a few years later, never to be
> > > rebuilt.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >Questions:
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >Where in relation to the tower did the wreck happen?
> > > >
> > > >What were the symbols of the freight and commuter job involved in
this
> > > wreck?
> > >
> > > >
> > > >Given the orientation of the commuter power (train was in push mode),
I
> > > assume
> > > the
> > > >commuter was eastbound(?) and the freight must have been
westbound(?).
> > > Given
> > > that
> > > >the commuter was deadheading, the wreck probably occurred in the
> evening?
> > > >
> > > >What other freight locomotives (if any) were with the 3305?
> > > >
> > > >What U-34CH was shoving the commuter?
> > > >
> > > >When did 3305 come out of Hornell repaired?  On Pg. 91 of Preston
> Cook's
> > > book,
> > > there
> > > >is a pic of 3305 detouring on the LV in July 1974, and the 3305 has a
> gray
> > > roof then
> > > >(a sign of repainting). So the unit was back on the road by 1974.
> > > >
> > > >Did 3305 retain dual control stands after repairs?
> > > >
> > > >Was a specific cause determined?  Someone run a signal?
> > > >
> > > >Were there any crew fatalities?
> > > >
> >
> >
> >
>

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