"
1939 ACCIDENT REPORT FROM THIS AREA
Inv-2396
INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR BUREAU OF SAFETY
ACCIDENT ON THE PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD
PEQUEA, PA.
DECEMBER 4, 1939
INVESTIGATION NO. 2396
SUMMARY Railroad: Pennsylvania
Date: December 4, 1939
Location: Pequea, Pa.
Kind of accident: Rear-end collision
Trains involved: Work : Freight
Train numbers: Work Extra 3686 : Extra 6742 East (AB-10)
Engine numbers: 3686 : 6742
Consist: 11 cars : 82 cars and caboose
Speed: 2-6 m. p. h. : 8-20 m. p. h.
Operation: Automatic block and cab-signal system
Track: Single; 3 degree 30'curve to the left; slightly ascending grade
Weather: Cloudy
Time: 2:40 p.m.
Casualties: 5 injured
Cause: Failure of Work Extra 3686 to provide proper flag protection and failure to operate Extra 6742 in accordance with automatic signal indications
January 26, 1940.
To the Commission:
On December 4, 1939, there was a rear-end collision between a work train and a freight train on the Pennsylvania Railroad near Pequea, Pa., which resulted in the injury of five employees.
Location and Method of Operation
This accident occurred on that part of the Maryland Division designated as the Columbia and Port Deposit Branch which extends between Perryville, Md., and Creswell, Pa., a distance of 38.3 miles. Between Creswell and McCalls, points, respectively, 8.7 miles west and 3.2 miles east of Pequea, this is a single-track line over which trains are operated by an automatic block and cab-signal system, the indications of which supersede time-table superiority and take the place of train orders. Traffic direction is controlled by an electric locking device which is operated only by the cooperation of the signalmen at Columbia, 5.2 miles west of Creswell, and Midway, 5.1 miles east of McCalls. Following movements are governed, only by automatic signal indications. The accident occurred at a point approximately 1.2 miles east of Pequea. Approaching this point from the west there is a series of short curves and tangents and then, in succession, a 4 degrees curve to the left 506.5 feet in length, a 6 degrees curve to the right 919.3 feet in length, a 5 degrees 15'curve to the left 1,171.7 feet in length, a tangent 434 feet in length, a 3 degrees 30'compound curve to the left 979 feet to the point of accident and some distance beyond. The track parallels the north bank of the Susquehanna River and is laid through cuts and on fills between the river and the adjacent cliffs. The grade is undulating and is 0.48 percent ascending eastward at the point of accident.
Automatic signals C-130 an C-150 are of position-light type, approach lighted; they govern eastward movements and are located 10,912 feet and 887 feet, respectively, west of the point of accident.
Operating rules provide in part as follows:
99. When a train stops under circumstances in which it may be overtaken by another train, the flagman must go back immediately with flagman's signals a sufficient distance to insure full protection, placing two torpedoes, and when necessary, in addition, displaying lighted fusees.
Diagram (not copied)
Inv. No. 2396 Pennsylvania R.R. Pequea, Pa. December 4, 1939.
When signal 14 (d), *** has been given to the flagman and safety to the train will permit, he may return. When the conditions require he will leave the torpedoes and a lighted fusee.
*** When a train is moving under circumstances in which it may be overtaken by another train, the flagman must take such action as may be necessary to insure full protection. By night, or by day when the view is obscured, lighted fusees must be thrown off at proper intervals.
When day signals cannot be plainly seen, owing to weather or other conditions, night signals must also be used.
Conductors and enginemen are responsible for the protection of their trains.
Flagman's signals:
Day signals - A red flag, Torpedoes and Fusees.
***
276. STOP-AND-PROCEED-SIGNAL.
Indication - Stop, then proceed in accordance with rule 509 ***.
283. APPROACH-SIGNAL
Indication - Approach next signal prepared to stop. A train exceeding one-half its maximum authorized speed at point involved must at once reduce to not exceeding that speed.
505a. On portions of the railroad so specified on the timetable, trains will run by block signals whose indications will supersede time-table superiority and will take the place of train orders.
***
509. When a train is stopped by a Stop and Proceed signal it may proceed:-
(A) On single track when preceded by a flagman to the next signal displaying a Proceed indication. ***
Timetable rule D-2512. Rule 505a is in effect: *** Between McCalls and Creswell.
The maximum authorized speed is 40 miles per hour.
The weather was cloudy but the visibility was good at the time of the accident, which occurred about 2:40 p.m.
Description
Work Extra 3686, with Conductor Passwaters and Engineman Baldwin in charge, consisted of engine 3686, 7 loaded and 3 empty cars, and a flanger car; the engine, in backward motion, was pushing the cars eastward. This train left Harbor, 3 miles west of Pequea, at 1:45 p.m., according to the train sheet, stopped five times between Harbor and the point of accident to load track material, and, while moving at a speed estimated at 2 to 6 miles per hour, was struck by Extra 6742.
Extra 6742, symbol AB-10, an east-bound freight train, with Conductor Warner and. Engineman Shaffer in charge, consisted of engine 6742, 79 loaded and. 3 empty cars, and a caboose. This train left Creswell, 8.7 miles west of Pequea, at 2:25 p.m., according to the train sheet, passed signal C-130 displaying an approach indication, passed signal C-150 displaying a stop-and-proceed indication, and, while moving at a speed estimated to have been from 8 to 20 miles per hour, collided with Work Extra 3686 at a point 887 feet beyond signal C-150.
Both engines, with their front ends badly damaged and their frames broken, stopped about 330 feet east of the point of collision. Engine 6742 was entirely derailed and the engine truck of engine 3686 was derailed. The center and side sills and the east end-gate of the third car ahead of engine 3686 were broken; the fourth car was off center, and the fifth car was considerably damaged. The first car behind engine 6742 telescoped the tender, crushed it inward about 4 feet and demolished the brakeman's shelter cabin; the sixteenth and seventeenth cars were considerably damaged.
The employees injured were the fireman and the brakeman of Extra 6742 and three trackmen who were on Work Extra 3686.
Summary of evidence
Engineman Baldwin, of Work Extra 3686, stated that the air brakes functioned properly en route. Leaving Harbor, 3 miles west of Pequea, the engine, headed west, was shoving the cars eastward. He had been informed of the various points at which track material was to be handled. He said that when the speed was reduced at these points, the flagman got off and remained a distance of two or three car lengths back of the train until recalled. For a period of 10 or 15 minutes just prior to the accident his train had been moving at a speed of 2 to 4 miles per hour, during which period the view toward the rear was generally restricted by curvature and embankment to a distance of about 400 feet. At the time of the accident and during 5 or more minutes just prior to it the flagman was on the engine procuring torpedoes from the fireman's seat-box. The engineman said he was aware that the movement was being made in territory where the view was considerably restricted but he was engaged in watching for signals from the brakeman ahead and did not instruct the flagman to go back. He heard no torpedoes exploded by Extra 6742, and he was not aware that a train was following closely. He estimated that the speed of Extra 6742 at the time of the accident was about 15 miles per hour. He said that he was not aware of any rule that specified when a train was moving the flagman should be to the rear. He thought that if the flagman had been back a sufficient distance the accident might have been averted. The testimony of Fireman Ely, of Work Extra 3686, developed nothing additional of importance. Conductor Passwaters, of Work Extra 3686, stated that his train left Harbor at 1:45 p.m. on permission from the signalman-operator at Midway, who was informed that they expected to load track material at several points between Harbor and McCalls, and would probably be delayed about 30 minutes. He did not give the flagman any flagging instructions and for some time prior to the accident did not know where the flagman was. He was on the front car and the front brakeman was walking beside the train, about three car lengths ahead of the engine, and giving signals to the engineman. The conductor said that he was not relying altogether on signals to protect his movement; the operation of his train in this instance was according to customary practice. He said that the flagman should have placed torpedoes occasionally and flagged when the train stopped. He estimated the speed of his train as between 2-1/2 and 4 miles per hour at the time of the collision which occurred at 2:35 p.m., at which time the weather was cloudy. Brakeman Rink, of Work Extra 3686, corroborated in substance the statement of Conductor Passwaters. He estimated the time of accident at 2:40 p.m. Flagman Shertzer, of Work Extra 3686, stated that his train stopped at Shenks Ferry, about 1-1/2 miles west of Pequea, for a period of about 10 minutes during which period he went back 8 or 10 car lengths, placed torpedoes on the rail, and remained there until recalled. When the train stopped at Pequea he went back 18 or 20 car lengths and placed two torpedoes, which exhausted his supply. He remained there about 5 minutes before being recalled. At the next stop, which was just west of signal C-150, he went back only 4 or 5 car lengths when he was recalled, but he had forgotten to obtain torpedoes. He boarded the engine and as the train proceeded at a speed of 3 to 5 miles per hour he procured torpedoes from the fireman's seat-box, which required about 5 minutes; he was about to get off to place the torpedoes when the engineman called a warning of the approach of the other train. He jumped off 12 or 14 car lengths east of signal C-150 just prior to the collision. Because the visibility was good he used no fusees and he depended upon the following train to obey signal indications. Engineman Shatter, of Extra 6742, stated that the cab signals and air brakes were tested at the commencement of the trip and they functioned properly en route. Approaching Harbor, signal C-106 displayed an approach indication and he reduced speed from 40 to about 20 miles per hour. Because this signal changed to display a clear indication just before they passed it he thought that another east-bound train was ahead and moving at slower speed. He said that, moving at a speed of about 25 miles per hour, they passed signal C-130 displaying an approach indication. His view of signal C-150 was restricted to about 600 feet, but ha heard the fireman, whose view on the inside of the curve was slightly longer, call its indication as stop; the speed at this time was about 20 miles per hour. He made a 10-pound brake-pipe reduction, and then, seeing the fireman jump from be engine, he applied the brakes in emergency. Between Creswell and the point of accident he heard no torpedoes exploded. He estimated the speed of his train at the time of the accident at 8 or 10 miles per hour. The impact shoved the work train back about six car lengths. He said that he should have approached signal C-150 prepared to stop short of it but he did not expect to find this signal displaying a stop-and-proceed indication. Fireman Gaugler, of Extra 6742, stated that signal C-106 west of Harbor displayed an approach indication but changed to a clear indication just before the engine passed it. Signal C-130 displayed an approach indication and the speed was reduced to about 25 miles per hour. When his engine was near signal C-150, he observed that it displayed a stop-and-proceed indication. He shouted a warning to the engineman and jumped from the engine; the speed at that time was 15 or 20 miles per hour. He did not hear any torpedoes exploded by his engine east of Creswell. Brakeman Marshall, of Extra 6742, stated that his train was operated at usual speed from Creswell to within about a mile of the point of accident, where some reduction was made, the extent of which he could not estimate. He was in the brakeman's cupola on the rear of the tender and neither observed signal indications nor heard any torpedoes exploded. Conductor Warner, of Extra 6742, estimated the speed of his train when passing Harbor at 38 or 40 miles per hour, when passing Pequea about 15 miles per hour, and at the time of collision 10 or 12 miles per hour. Flagman Rennie, of Extra 6742, estimated the speed of his train when passing Pequea at 18 or 19 miles per hour and at 10 or 12 miles per hour at the time of impact. Assistant Track Supervisor Dixon estimated that Work Extra 3686 had been moving eastward at a speed of 5 or 6 miles per hour for about 10 or 15 minutes prior to the time the accident occurred. The statements of Track Foreman Good and Block Operator Eppleman developed nothing additional of importance. Observations of Commission's Inspectors
The Commission's inspectors observed that the view of signal C-150 from an approaching east-bound train was limited to a distance of about 713 feet because of a line of catenary poles and a nearly perpendicular bank 15 feet high on the inside of the curve. From an approaching east-bound train the point of accident can be seen a distance of about 340 feet. Discussion
According to the evidence, at the time of the accident the work train had been moving at a speed of 2 to 6 miles per hour for a period of not less than 10 minutes, in territory where the view was considerably restricted by an embankment. During the 5 minutes just prior to the accident the flagman was on the engine procuring a supply of torpedoes. He stated that he had placed torpedoes on the rail at two points between Harbor and the point of accident, but because of the favorable weather conditions he left no fusees. He said that to a certain extent he was depending for protection upon signal indications. Neither the engineman nor the conductor of the work extra took action to supervise the flag protection. The engine crew of Extra 6742 did not hear any torpedoes exploded, and when they saw the work extra there was not sufficient distance in which to stop short of the train ahead. Under the rules the flagman of the work extra was required to protect his train and not to depend upon signal indications. If the flagman had complied with the provisions of the flagging rule, undoubtedly this accident would not have occurred. The evidence indicated that the engineman of Extra 6742 saw the indication of signal C-106, the third signal west of the point of accident, change from approach to clear just before his engine passed it, and he thought that another east-bound train was preceding his train and moving at a slower speed. The second signal west of the point of accident displayed an approach indication which required him to reduce speed to 20 miles per hour or one-half the maximum authorized speed and to approach the next signal prepared to stop. He estimated his speed when passing signal C-130 at 25 miles per hour. Although the view of signal C-150 from an approaching train was restricted to 600 or 700 feet, he approached it at a speed of 20 miles per hour; when the fireman called the stop-and-proceed indication displayed by this signal he made a 10-pound brake-pipe reduction and the speed had been reduced to about 15 miles per hour when passing the signal. He then made an emergency application of the brakes but the distance was insufficient in which to stop short of the work extra. The engineman understood that he was required to approach signal C-150 prepared to stop short of it but he assumed it would not be displaying a stop-and-proceed indication. If the engineman had approached this signal prepared to stop short of it, as required by the rules, undoubtedly the accident would have been averted. Conclusion
This accident was caused by failure to provide proper flag protection for Work Extra 3686 and by failure to operate Extra 6742 in accordance with signal indications. Respectfully submitted,
S. N. MILLS,
Director.
_________________________________________________________________________________
INFO ON RAILROADS IN THIS AREA
Under The Wires
History of the Columbia & Port Deposit Railroad
Special thanks to "Brother
Pius" for providing this information.
The Columbia & Port Deposit Railroad began life as
the Washington & Maryland Line Railroad, incorporated
April 30, 1857 by local interests, to link the
canal and railroad operations at Columbia with the canal
and general eastern commerce centering at Port Deposit.
The name was changed to Columbia & Maryland Line
Railroad March 29, 1860, and to Columbia & Port
Deposit Railroad on April 15, 1864. None of these
companies owned any engines or equipment, and
construction of the road was not begun until September
1866. During construction, the Pennsylvania Railroad
recognized the property to be an advantageous low grade
route to Baltimore and the east (with easier grades then
the Northern Central Railroad, via York and North
Freedom) and purchased $1,822,000 of the C&PD's bonds
- a controlling interest. The PRR on June 13, 1877
entered into agreement to operate the property upon
completion of construction. Construction was completed
and the line opened July, 1877.
The Philadelphia,
Wilmington & Baltimore RR (which was itself owned by
the PRR) purchased the C&PD May 12, 1893. On
September 15, 1916, the C&PD was merged with other
properties to form the Philadelphia, Baltimore &
Washington RR. The PB&W was itself operated by the
PRR under a lease dated December 13, 1917.
The
C&PD was (apparently) dispatched by the PRR's
Philadelphia Division from the time of its completion
(dispatcher at "C" Office in Columbia depot).
On January 1, 1879, the Frederick Division was formed
(comprised of the C&PD: the York, Hanover &
Frederick branch and the Wrightsville Branch), dispatched
from "D" Office in York. The Frederick Division
was abolished June 1, 1902 and operations transferred to
the Maryland Division of PW&B RR, out of
"WD" Office in Wilmington Station. When the
Baltimore Division was incorporated into the Maryland
Division in 1937, the dispatching moved to "B"
Office , Baltimore. Electrification and CTC were
installed in 1938 resulting that all telegraph and train
order offices were closed, and control given to the
operator at Columbia. The C&PD was transferred to the
Harrisburg Division October 1, 1976 (the office call for
the Harrisburg Division Dispatcher was "F").
On February 1, 1885, the stations and agents on the C&PD were:
Columbia*
Chas. S. Murray
Washington
1
B. Frank Burg
Cresswell
Safe
Harbor* L.C.
Warfe
Shenk's Ferry
Pequea
York Furnace
Tuquan
McCall's
Ferry
Wm. N. Amig
Cully
Fite's Eddy
2
Clarkson B. Bostick
Fishing Creek
Benton
Whitaker
Peach
Bottom*
Wm. H. Uffelman
Haines
Bold Friar
Conowingo*
Stephen J. Caldwell
Cromley's
Mountain
Octoraro* Lafayette
Bradley
Canal
Rock Run
Port
Deposit* David
G. Wilson
Frenchtown
Perryville*
W.C. Culley
* denotes telegraph station
1 denotes second class freight station
2 denotes exclusively passenger agent
There
were two major realignments of grade and profile on the
C&PD: (1) 1905-1906 - from Conestoga Creek Bridge to
Safe Harbor in connection with the building of the
A&S Low Grade and McCalls Ferry to Cresswell in
connection with construction of the Holtwood Dam. The
west end of the C&PD was closed for two years during
this construction; (2) 1926-1928 - alignment revised
between Port Deposit and Fite's Eddy in conjunction with
building of the Conowingo Dam. There were no tunnels on
the C&PD prior to this relocation. In some places the
track was relocated as much as 850' to the east.
Some
telegraph offices on the old C&PD were:
"C"-Columbia
"WI"-Washington Boro
"W" (later "CR")-Cresswell
"HA" (later "SU")-Safe Harbor
"QA"-Pequea
"MF"-McCalls Ferry
"MF" (later "MC")-McCalls
"FR"-Face Rock
"FI"-Fite's Eddy
"BM"-Beach Bottom
"GO" (later "GW")-Conowingo
"GX" (later "GD")-Octoraro
"PS"-Port Deposit
"FX" (later "FH")-Frenchtown
"JV"-Perryville Yard
"V" (later "VY", later
"DO")-Perryville.
Train
dispatching was "improved" (?) by installing
telephones in 1911, though the telegraph lasted on the
C&PD late into the 1920's. Sentman and Rock were
train order offices after the days of telegraph.
The double track (at first
referred to as "Lap Sidings") was installed in
the area of Midway about 1911. The timetable direction on
the C&PD was always north and south (not east and
west). In 1916, passing siding capacities were:
Port Deposit-63 cars
Octorary-86 cars
Conowingo-72 cars
Peach Bottom-104 cars
Fishing Creek-29 cars
Face Rock Northward Siding-104 cars
Face Rock Southward Siding-104 cars
McCalls Ferry-102 cars
Pequea-51 cars
Safe Harbor-114 cars
Cresswell-97 cars
Columbia-74 cars
AREA HISTORY
Proclamation of Gov. Thomas Against Settlers on Lands in Lancaster, 1742: Lancaster Co, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Linnea Miller ltmiller@postoffice.ptd.net USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. ____________________________________________________________ PA Archives, Series 1, Volume 1. PROCLAMATION OF GOV. THOMAS AG'ST SETTLERS ON LANDS IN LANCASTER, 1742. By The Honourable George Thomas, Esqr., Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief of the Province of Pennsylvania, and the Counties of New-Castle, Kent, and Sussex upon Delaware. A PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, by the express orders of the Hon. the Proprietaries, no Warrant or License has issued out of the Land-Office for taking up or settling any Lands in the County of Lancaster, to the Westward of the Kittochtinny-Hills, otherwise called the Endless or Blue Mountains, so that all such as have presum'd to possess themselves of any Lands there, are manifest Intruders; and, as such, liable by the Laws to be removed, and, in Case of refusal, to be committed to Prison and severely fined. AND WHEREAS the Indians at the Treaty made with them in the Month of July last, did complain that they were greatly disturbed and injured by the Peoples settling at Juniata and in other parts of the County of Lancaster to the Westward of those Hills, and became earnest Petitioners that all such persons might be made to remove from thence. I, favouring the request of the said Indians, and to the End that all persons concerned may have sufficient Notice of the Dangers they incur from their resentment, and to the Violation of the Laws, Have thought fit to issue this my Proclamation, hereby strictly requiring all persons who have presumed to possess themselves of any Lands situate in the placed aforesaid, or in any part of the county of Lancaster to the westward of the aforesaid Ridge of Mountains, or those who have seated themselves on any tracts appropriated to the use of the Indians on this side of those Hills, forthwith to leave their possessions and remove off them with their Families and Effects, as they will answer the contrary at their highest Peril. And as by reason of the approaching Winter, some may not be able to provide themselves with fit Habitations or with the Necessaries of Life, if they should be compell'd immediately to leave their Houses and Plantations, the Removal of such as are in these Circumstances is respited to the first Day of May next, the longest time that will be allowed any one to continue in the possession of any lands so situate as aforesaid. AND I DO hereby require the Sheriff of Lancaster county to publish this Proclamation at the Court-House of the said county, and to cause Copy's thereof to be affixed at the most publick places, and particularly at Juniata, and from thence all along on the Banks of the River Susquehanna to Wyomen, and at Licking-Creek Hills near the River Patowmeck, that none may pretend Ignorance thereof. Given at Philadelphia under my Hand and the Great Seal of the said Province, the Fifth Day of October, 1742, in the Sixteenth Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Second, by the Grace of God of Great-Britain France, and Ireland, King Defender of the Faith, &c. George Thomas. God Save the King. Indorsed. Proclamation, 5 8ber, 1742. Settling on Indn lands in Lancaster county. -----------------------------------