I am trying to find some information on, or any reference too, a wreck outside of Tuscaloosa, Alabama in Dec/Jan or either 1957 or 58. It involved someone trying to beat the train, a passenger train most probably the Crescent, at a crossing. Obviously the truck lost. My father was on the train that night with his fairly new wife - my late mother. He would like to find out the specifics after all these years. Any idea if there are records of the accidents anywhere that can be searched?
The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) did have records on the Internet for all crashes that involved the loss of life. Apparently no public records were kept on non-fatal wrecks (or at least as far as I can find). Apologize that I can't provide you with the path there. I'd start with "ICC Train Wrecks" or variaions thereof.
That helps a lot actually. According to my father this wreck was fatal. To quote his graphic description, "the guy lost the race. They spent the rest of the night taking pieces of him away in sandwich bags." Gee.... thanks for the imagery! You gave me a great place to start.
http://specialcollection.dotlibrary.dot.gov/ However, this I believe is only for railroad accidents. Such as derailments, train-train collisions, etc. I doubt you'll find the information needed on that site. How about old newspapers from the area? Some even have theirs on-line these days.
Wow, there is some interesting information on there. Thanks BoxCab! I am going to spend quite bit of time going through there - and for know other reason that is interesting trivia. I agree about the news papers. I have started to look for that. I am hitting the major libraries in the area - like University of Alabama - to see what I can find.
Dave - Just noticed that you are in Charleston, SC too! Small world. I was wondering if there were any other Lowcountry folk on TrainBoard. :tb-smile:
You might also try contacting the current railroad (NS, maybe?? Not sure). I haven't had much luck with CSX in a similar situation but maybe your's would work out with them.
Good idea. I wonder if Norfolk Southern would still have the accident records from the 50s. If not, maybe the Southern Railway History society has them or knows where they are. Actually I think many, if not all, of those documents were turned over tothe Southern Museum of Locomotive and Civil War History in Kennesaw, GA.
Michael - Under the Fallen Flags group for Atlantic Coast Line/Seaboard Air Line believe you'll find a lot of people interested in Charleston railroading 'tho Buddy Hill is the only one who immediately comes to mind. Read "ACL/SAL Railroads In/Around Charleson SC" that'll give you a good idea.
Will do, thanks. For some sad reason I always think of Southern when I think of this area, but ACL/SAL were big too. Just not when I was a kid I guess. Heading over there now....
