In the 1960’s, I believe UP 962 was involved in a head-on collision (?) on the line between Denver and Kansas City. Does anybody know exactly where it occurred, and when?
It was retired in 1968.
If this unit was involved in a derailment or collision also involving a passenger train or in an incident that caused a fatality or serious injury, there will be a Federal Accident Report on the issue. The NTSB would also have a report. The FRA should know where the file is archived and they should also be able to assist you in getting a copy of it.
Not to stray too far from the topic, but I personally witnessed two UP accidents on the KS Division, both at St. Marys. In the late 50’s, there was an explosion on one of the F-units on #39, the passenger local as it paused at the depot. I watched the fireman being loaded onto an ambulance. Never heard what happened to him. The other, about '66 or '67, the Portland Rose chopped up two soldiers early one Sunday morn as they were walking the right of way west of St. Marys on their way back to Ft. Riley after a night of carousing in Topeka. I took photographs. (No, I wouldn’t post them even if I could find them again.)
I beleive the NSTB has a web site and the reports are on PDF. There are a lot of them and will have to wade thru the whole year to find it. Specific information i.e. date and place is essential or you will be looking a long time. GOOD LUCK.
For those interested … It was at Wamego, Kansas, about 40 miles west of Topeka, on the Kansas Pacific line, the old KP. Hey, “KP” sounds familiar …
It has been a few years since this thread was started …
But, thanks to “locoi1sa” back on September 19, 2009 in the topic “Switch Disaster and Afterwards,” page 2, a link to ICC wreck reports was given.
Thus, the official report on the Wamego, KS incident was recently found by this poster.
It just so happened that I was in Kansas a few years ago, and photo documented the WAMEGO siding in ABS territory, one photo of which is below, which faces east showing the east switch. (The ABS signal shown has TWO heads, one facing each way. Back in 1967, undoubtedly the east facing signal was on the other side of the track on a separate mast.)
The report indicated the one locomotive, six-car Portland Rose #18 had taken the siding at the west end, but failed to stop at the east end (photo above). The resulting collision between GP30 UP 857 (west) and E9 UP 962 (east) led to the scrapping of both units. There were no fatalities, but many injuries
The report can be found at:
http://specialcollection.dotlibrary.dot.gov/
Thereat, click: “I.C.C. Historical Railroad Investigation Reports (1911-1994),” > “1967” > then “Union Pacific Railroad Company.”
The link to locoi1sa’s post (about another wreck):