Wreck-replaced cars

[JLJ061]

I've been keeping tabs of all the wreck damaged cars that have since been replaced...

So far, I have Cars 17 and 26 from the head-on collision in Gary in 1985.
Car 41 was destroyed after colliding with a freight car in Burnham Yard in 1987.
Cars 27 and 36 were trashed after colliding on the gauntlet overpass in Gary in 1993.
And Car 11 was destroyed after colliding with a tandem tractor-trailer in Burns Harbor in 1998.

However, there is another incident on October 30, 1986 where an eastbound train collided with a truck carrying a steel coil in Miller (almost identical to the 1998 accident), where 35 passengers were injured and the lead car was totaled. The South Bend Tribune showed a picture of the demolished car, but was not clear enough to get its number.

Anyone have any ideas which car this was?

[justalurker66]

Good question. I have the same car numbers as you for all the rest of the incidents/replacements. Perhaps the 1986 accident didn't total the train car?

[CSS&SB702]

For some reason, car 18 comes to mind, but I don't know why.

[PRRGuy]

For those of you that haven't been on in the shops yard, what's left of the first #41 is still out there being used for parts, sitting on the ground next to the "Material Track" I have one of the #41 number plates in my CSS collection.

Ryan

[JLJ061]

Ok, question answered (kinda) and setting the record straight here...

Car 41 was not the one involved in the Burnham accident but the car totalled in the Miller accident pictured here...


This was the car involved with the Burnham accident... Seeing the RTA logo on the front door shows it wasn't car 41; No idea what car this was, but I think it is safe to assume that it was rebuilt since the structural damage was similar to Car 106's damage a few years ago.

[justalurker66]

The only RTA car I know of being replaced was 36 ... but that was because of the 1993 accident.
You're right that Burnham could not have been 41 with an RTA logo ... which could make 41 the Miller/Gary car damaged in 1986.
And 1987 remains a mystery (for the moment). It is a shame the side number window cannot be read in the photograph.

What and when was the car 106 incident?

[PRRGuy]

Car 106 was wrecked on Sept 2, 2006. Train 600 was to meet a Eastbound CSS freight at Tamarack. Back when they were still under ABS and spring switches all WB moves headed into the siding. Train 600 went into the siding while the freight held the main. 600's engineer thought that the freight was the usual short train and figured it would clear the signal before he got there, so they started to pick up speed (On an approach signal!) After crossing Brown Road they put the train into emergency before crashing into the side of the freight train and ripping open a covered hopper full of sand. The head two cars of 600 (Cars 106 & 17) derailed and almost tipped onto their sides.

Car 106 was shipped off to Delaware Car to have the cab rebuilt and has been back on the property for a few months now. It's sitting just west of the Carroll Ave bridge near the RIP track building. It has not yet been returned to service.


Ryan

[JLJ061]

And 1987 remains a mystery (for the moment). It is a shame the side number window cannot be read in the photograph.

The FRA Accident Report shows it to be Car 37, which most likely was rebuilt and returned to service.

Any ideas on when Car 106 is placed back in service?

[PRRGuy]

It's still sitting just outside the CSS Rip Track building, the Shops haven't even started on it yet.

Ryan

[PRRGuy]

http://ntl1.specialcollection.net/scrip ... _railroads

Check out the above link for Investigations of Railroad Accidents. Just type in the "South Shore" and quite a few show up. Also, if you look for "Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District" the 1993 Gaunlet Bridge accident comes up.

Very interesting reading.

[PRRGuy]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dwdavidson ... 8/sizes/m/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dwdavidson ... 4/sizes/m/

Found these photos on flickr of the 1986 Coil Steel Truck V.S. South Shore accident.

Ryan

[justalurker66]

Nice find ... Mr Davidson has posted many interesting behind the scenes pictures ... here are more posted this week:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dwdavidson ... 010/01/05/