I was actually stupid enough one day in 2022 to go climb up that embankment 75 feet from the caboose in sandstone Village to where the wreck happened. I’ve also been where the tower used to stand, I live in Lorain and I rail fan those tracks, which is now the Norfolk Southern Chicago line so I know the area well and I’ve seen pictures and heard about the wreck, but I wanted to check out the area for myself I’m surprised that the city of Amherst hasn’t gone up there and looked for artifacts like the case with the Ashtabula Trainwreck, where to this day, people are still finding artifacts from that horrible wreck. Also love your content i think this is one of the best deep dives into this wreck that anyone has done at all
Thanks for the story, which I'd not come across before. (I'm English. with an interest in US railroads.) Given the damage to two of the engines, particularly the one on the 20th Century, I'm surprised that the two crews survived. If it helps, US and GB railways used similar semaphore signals, of which there were two principle types. One you mentioned, the 'distant' which usually had a distinctive shape and later, over here, was painted yellow as well. The other was the 'home' or 'stop' signal, which in GB was always red. Depending on how the signal arms were pivoted, 'line clear' would be shown by the arm being either raised or lowered at a 45 degree angle, and showing a green light. If the signal was at danger, the arm would be horizontal, and display a red light. However, unlike the home, a distant signal could be passed at danger - it was a warning to the crew that the next home board was set to 'danger'; they should slow down and be prepared to stop. Over here we had various rules, including one that required an engine crew, unexpectedly held at a stop signal, to contact the signalman (tower operator) after a set few minutes' time and find out what the hold up was. It also made sure the signalman 'blocked back' as we call it, to protect the section behind the standing train - but, sadly, things didn't always happen quite that way. Thick fog was always a nightmare - three generations of my family were railwaymen (my father a signalman) and would be called out in such conditions for 'fogging duties' - standing beside the signals with detonators (torpedoes), clipped to the track to warn a driver he was passing a signal. Cold, miserable and dangerous work, but vital for the safe operation of the line in bad weather.
This is fascinating. As a fellow Ohio resident, I think it's beautiful that our stories are being told. The first part of your video reminded me of a math problem. Excellent videos.
Wow, fascinating story, John, tragic as it was. It amazes me though, after hearing this and thinking about the most recent train wrecks in Ohio, is that there are those who want to reduce train safety regulations. Thanks for posting this video!
Would these folks interested in reducing safety standards, be the more well-to-do types? Those who worry more about profits, and would never live near a railroad track?
Great video! Great story! Fatal train accidents have also occurred recently in India where I live but this story is great! This is something special and unique! In this story, I come across a passenger woman who gives birth to a child immediately after the accident and they both survive. I have never heard of this before. Never! In confinement where brutal human misery follows, and the curse that never leaves anyone intact, this is quite unheard of. Tragedy exposes humans! What they are and what they are up to. There is no exception in this case too. Some stand till the last while some are seen stealing scalps from the dead. Great video, John! Have a great day!
Such a sad day for evereyone. I can be uplifted that they upgraded the rail system, but we have a long way to go to stop these wrecks from happening still.
Thanks for the story John 👍 I remember my Aunt lived beside of the train,it would literally shake the house,then one year it went off the trax, about a 1/3 mile away WOW we ran out of the house to see what happened 👍
Thank you John for another wonderful video, about places, times and events that are not known, or have been lost to time. You videos are always a pleasure to watch, and you are a remarkable story teller. Hope everyone is doing good, keep up the great work, and God bless you all!
How Intersting, that this past week, when I went to vote I wore (as I always do) my Curious History hoodie. There a Lady read out loud the name. She said she "Loved that". I then told her she should check you out on RU-vid and how you tell us about local history in Ohio. 😊😊 Where am I in Ohio?.... well just a hop, skip, and a jump from Amherst and Elyria In Lorain county . So I'm hoping she checks you out and maybe seen or will see this. 👍 Just a bit of Irony from my end, that you did this story after that recent conversation I had.
