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Marty Bernard's Collection
 
3/19/2024
 
 
 
 
 
By:Marty Bernard
Dates:9/12/1964 - 9/28/1964
Album Info:The next morning.
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Diagram 1, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Title:  Diagram 1, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Description:  Montgomery Tower was the first interlocking plant west of Aurora on the CB&Q double-track mainline to Galesburg, IL. The single-track Streator Branch heads off to the southwest then and crossed the CRI&P at Ottawa, IL about 40 miles down the branch. The pictures in this album were taken the morning after the wreck, September 28,1964. The Rock Island was repairing its Des Plaines River Bridge in Joliet thus the detouring trains to Chicago up and trains to the west down the CB&Q branch. As this diagram shows three trains, all passenger, were at Montgomery at the time of the wreck. The first was an eastbound Rock Island waiting at a home signal (the signal on the signal bridge to allow a train to enter the interlocking plant) to come off the branch (upper right on the diagram). It was CRI&P Extra 656 the combined #4 and #10. The second was a Rock Island westbound on Track 1, the normally westbound track (both tracks were signaled in both directions), waiting at a home signal to go down the branch (lower left on the diagram). The third was CB&Q #3, the combined Ak-Sar-Ben Zephyr and Royal Zephyr, westbound at 59 mph on the normally eastbound track. Due to an error in upgrading the plant to electric-powered turnouts compromised the integrity of the plant and turnout #14 was improperly set for the branch and the Zephyr veered off into the waiting Rock Island train. Indications were that the operator had no indication of this error. The wreck took place at 10:49 p.m. on the 27th. The known diesel numbers are shown on the chalk diagram drawn right after the wreck. Some computer additions have just been made to the diagram. On the diagram the interlocking plant is between signal bridges drawn like an uppercase letter I across the tracks. The importance of the track that curves behind the tower labeled to SHEEP YARDS will become apparent. Three CB&Q employees (two in the lead CB&Q engine) and one in the RI lead engine were killed. 200 hundred passengers and other employees claimed injuries but amazingly only five remained in a hospital more than one day. ) I was the night operator leverman at the tower two weeks previously. See: http://railfan44.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=771462 The operator that night collapsed of a nervous breakdown soon after the wreck. Some of the details in this album are from the October 1965 TRAINS Magazine article titled The Accident That Couldnt Happen just brought to my attention by Mike Woodruff. The article goes into some detail on how interlocking plants work and what went wrong that horrid night. Here's the Chicago Tribune Article with pictures: http://docs.google.com/gview?a=v&attid=0.1&thid=11ef75ca86297017&mt=application%2Fpdf&pli=1
Photo Date:  9/28/1964  Upload Date: 6/15/2007 10:00:07 PM
Location:  Montgomery, IL
Author:  Marty Bernard
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  6607   Comments: 1
Diagram 2, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Title:  Diagram 2, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Description:  This diagram shows the situation as I found it on the morning of the 28th. The second CRI&P train had been removed and the first CB&Q diesel though shown was mostly gone. Two steam wrecking cranes with their trains are present. The 27 pictures in this album are numbered and the number and direction of each picture is shown on this diagram. The Zephyr had three units, four stored mail cars (J), two baggage cars (B), three coaches (C), two slumber coaches (S), and a heavyweight diner (D). The headend cars accordioned, no doubt absorbing much of the impact and protecting the passenger cars somewhat. The lead CB&Q diesel jackknifed and the first Rock Island diesel took to the air.
Photo Date:  9/28/1964  Upload Date: 6/15/2007 10:00:10 PM
Location:  Montgomery, IL
Author:  Marty Bernard
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  4562   Comments: 0
Picture 01, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Title:  Picture 01, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Description:  Rerailing the last Ak-Sar-Ben Zephyr car, a coach.
Photo Date:  9/28/1964  Upload Date: 6/15/2007 10:00:11 PM
Location:  Montgomery, IL
Author:  Marty Bernard
Categories:  RollingStock,Wreck
Locomotives: 
Views:  3036   Comments: 0
Picture 02, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Title:  Picture 02, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Description:  CB&Q Heavyweight Diner and CZ Slumber Coach "Silver Craig" (see comment below)
Photo Date:  9/28/1964  Upload Date: 6/15/2007 10:00:12 PM
Location:  Montgomery, IL
Author:  Marty Bernard
Categories:  RollingStock
Locomotives: 
Views:  2868   Comments: 1
Picture 03, Mustard and Catsup On Your Hot Dog?
Title:  Picture 03, Mustard and Catsup On Your Hot Dog?
Description:  The car to the left is DRG&W Diner "Silver Gorge" the other is CB&Q Slumber Coach "Silver Crag". Both are California Zephyr cars.
Photo Date:  9/28/1964  Upload Date: 6/15/2007 10:00:13 PM
Location:  Montgomery, IL
Author:  Marty Bernard
Categories:  RollingStock
Locomotives: 
Views:  3178   Comments: 0
Picture 04, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Title:  Picture 04, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Description: 
Photo Date:  9/28/1964  Upload Date: 6/15/2007 10:00:14 PM
Location:  Montgomery, IL
Author:  Marty Bernard
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  2922   Comments: 1
Picture 05, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Title:  Picture 05, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Description:  Zephyr Headend Cars
Photo Date:  9/28/1964  Upload Date: 6/15/2007 10:00:15 PM
Location:  Montgomery, IL
Author:  Marty Bernard
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  2883   Comments: 0
Picture 06, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Title:  Picture 06, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Description:  7 of 9 E-units involved. See closeup pictures for details.
Photo Date:  9/28/1964  Upload Date: 6/15/2007 10:00:17 PM
Location:  Montgomery, IL
Author:  Marty Bernard
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  3222   Comments: 0
Picture 07, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Title:  Picture 07, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Description:  Repaired and became BN 9987.
Photo Date:  9/28/1964  Upload Date: 6/15/2007 10:00:19 PM
Location:  Montgomery, IL
Author:  Marty Bernard
Categories: 
Locomotives:  CBQ 9987A(E9A)
Views:  4510   Comments: 2
Picture 08, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Title:  Picture 08, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Description:  E7A 9922B was subsequently scrapped. She was 19 and obviously not worth the repair expense. E9A 9987A at the right however was returned to service.
Photo Date:  9/28/1964  Upload Date: 6/15/2007 10:00:20 PM
Location:  Montgomery, IL
Author:  Marty Bernard
Categories: 
Locomotives:  CBQ 9922B(E7A) CBQ 9987A(E9A)
Views:  7446   Comments: 2
PICTURE 09, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Title:  PICTURE 09, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Description: 
Photo Date:  9/28/1964  Upload Date: 6/15/2007 10:00:21 PM
Location:  Montgomery, IL
Author:  Marty Bernard
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  2804   Comments: 0
Picture 10, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Title:  Picture 10, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Description: 
Photo Date:  9/28/1964  Upload Date: 6/15/2007 10:00:22 PM
Location:  Montgomery, IL
Author:  Marty Bernard
Categories: 
Locomotives:  CRIP 651(E8A)
Views:  3691   Comments: 1
Picture 11, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Title:  Picture 11, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Description:  This diesel was later used in suburban service. See for example: http://railfan44.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=665054
Photo Date:  9/28/1964  Upload Date: 6/15/2007 10:00:23 PM
Location:  Montgomery, IL
Author:  Marty Bernard
Categories: 
Locomotives:  CRIP 751(AB6)
Views:  3867   Comments: 0
Picture 12, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Title:  Picture 12, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Description: 
Photo Date:  9/28/1964  Upload Date: 6/15/2007 10:00:24 PM
Location:  Montgomery, IL
Author:  Marty Bernard
Categories: 
Locomotives:  CRIP 638B(E7B) CRIP 750(AB6)
Views:  3420   Comments: 2
Picture 13, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Title:  Picture 13, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Description:  Note turned rail.
Photo Date:  9/28/1964  Upload Date: 6/15/2007 10:00:03 PM
Location:  Montgomery, IL
Author:  Marty Bernard
Categories: 
Locomotives:  CRIP 638B(E7B)
Views:  2202   Comments: 0
Picture 14, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Title:  Picture 14, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Description:  This looks like the cab to the first Rock Island unit.
Photo Date:  9/28/1964  Upload Date: 6/15/2007 10:08:27 PM
Location:  Montgomery, IL
Author:  Marty Bernard
Categories:  Roster,Wreck
Locomotives:  CBQ 212(GP7)
Views:  3309   Comments: 0
Picture 15, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck, the First Train Through
Title:  Picture 15, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck, the First Train Through
Description:  Using the "Sheep Yards" track down and through the yard and back up to the Aurora Depot.
Photo Date:  9/28/1964  Upload Date: 6/15/2007 10:08:28 PM
Location:  Montgomery, IL
Author:  Marty Bernard
Categories:  Wreck
Locomotives:  CBQ 9990(E9A)
Views:  2561   Comments: 0
Picture 16, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Title:  Picture 16, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Description: 
Photo Date:  9/28/1964  Upload Date: 6/15/2007 10:08:28 PM
Location:  Montgomery, IL
Author:  Marty Bernard
Categories:  RollingStock
Locomotives: 
Views:  2487   Comments: 0
Picture 17, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Title:  Picture 17, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Description:  First train through using the sheep yard lead track. Pieces on the ground are parts of the lead Zephyr E-unit.
Photo Date:  9/28/1964  Upload Date: 6/15/2007 10:08:30 PM
Location:  Montgomery, IL
Author:  Marty Bernard
Categories:  Wreck
Locomotives:  CBQ 9990(E9A)
Views:  2809   Comments: 1
Picture 18, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Title:  Picture 18, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Description:  One of the first trains through using the Sheep Yard lead track. Parts on the ground are from the lead Zephyr diesel.
Photo Date:  9/28/1964  Upload Date: 6/15/2007 10:08:30 PM
Location:  Montgomery, IL
Author:  Marty Bernard
Categories: 
Locomotives:  CBQ 9986A(E9A)
Views:  2545   Comments: 2
Picture 19, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Title:  Picture 19, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Description:  Cab of Zephyr lead diesel.
Photo Date:  9/28/1964  Upload Date: 6/15/2007 10:08:32 PM
Location:  Montgomery, IL
Author:  Marty Bernard
Categories: 
Locomotives:  CBQ 9920A(E7A)
Views:  2578   Comments: 0
Picture 20, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Title:  Picture 20, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Description:  Zephyr headend cars.
Photo Date:  9/28/1964  Upload Date: 6/15/2007 10:08:33 PM
Location:  Montgomery, IL
Author:  Marty Bernard
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  1264   Comments: 0
Picture 21, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Title:  Picture 21, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Description:  First train through on Sheep Yard lead track and Zephyr Baggage car.
Photo Date:  9/28/1964  Upload Date: 6/15/2007 10:08:33 PM
Location:  Montgomery, IL
Author:  Marty Bernard
Categories:  Wreck
Locomotives:  CBQ 9990(E9A)
Views:  2485   Comments: 3
Picture 22, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Title:  Picture 22, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Description:  Last CB&Q baggage car and first two coaches.
Photo Date:  9/28/1964  Upload Date: 6/15/2007 10:08:34 PM
Location:  Montgomery, IL
Author:  Marty Bernard
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  1058   Comments: 0
Picture 23, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Title:  Picture 23, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Description:  Second CB&Q coach and two Slumber Coachs.
Photo Date:  9/28/1964  Upload Date: 6/15/2007 10:08:35 PM
Location:  Montgomery, IL
Author:  Marty Bernard
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  1519   Comments: 0
Picture 24, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Title:  Picture 24, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Description:  Looking west from tower (screen on window). One crane and its cars are to the left. Sheep Yard lead track is center with rods from tower to its left.
Photo Date:  9/28/1964  Upload Date: 6/15/2007 10:08:36 PM
Location:  Montgomery, IL
Author:  Marty Bernard
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  1898   Comments: 1
Picture 25, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Title:  Picture 25, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Description:  Looking west from tower (screen on window). One crane and its cars are to the left. One of the first trains is on the Sheep Yard lead track. A similar shot taken at ground level earlier in the month is at: http://railfan44.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=544659
Photo Date:  9/28/1964  Upload Date: 6/15/2007 10:08:37 PM
Location:  Montgomery, IL
Author:  Marty Bernard
Categories: 
Locomotives:  CBQ 9993(E9A)
Views:  2182   Comments: 0
Picture 26, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Title:  Picture 26, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Description:  First train through on Sheep Yard lead track behind the tower.
Photo Date:  9/28/1964  Upload Date: 6/15/2007 10:08:37 PM
Location:  Montgomery, IL
Author:  Marty Bernard
Categories:  Yard
Locomotives:  CBQ 9990(E9A)
Views:  1986   Comments: 0
Picture 27, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Title:  Picture 27, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck
Description:  First train through on Sheep Yard lead track behind the tower.
Photo Date:  9/28/1964  Upload Date: 6/15/2007 10:08:26 PM
Location:  Montgomery, IL
Author:  Marty Bernard
Categories:  Wreck,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  CBQ 9998(E7A)
Views:  2398   Comments: 0
CB&Q Montgomery Tower 15 Days Before the Wreck
Title:  CB&Q Montgomery Tower 15 Days Before the Wreck
Description:  These were called strong-arm plants and sometimes you had to use a leg too as demonstrated in this self portrait.
Photo Date:  9/12/1964  Upload Date: 6/20/2007 8:02:15 PM
Location:  Montgomery, IL
Author:  Marty Bernard
Categories:  Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  3451   Comments: 4
Today, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck 9/28/1964
Title:  Today, CB&Q/CRI&P Wreck 9/28/1964
Description: 
Photo Date:  1/1/2007  Upload Date: 6/16/2007 11:46:05 PM
Location:  Montgomery, IL
Author:  Marty Bernard
Categories:  RollingStock
Locomotives: 
Views:  3721   Comments: 0


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