1922 Winslow Junction train derailment

The 1922 Winslow Junction train derailment was a July 2, 1922[1] accident on Atlantic City Railroad's Camden to Atlantic City route. Train № 33 the Owl going 90 miles (140 km) per hour sped through an open switch at Winslow Junction. 7 were killed, 89 were injured.[2]

Accident

On Atlantic City Railroad's Camden to Atlantic City Line, in Winslow, New Jersey: at Winslow Junction near the WA Tower, On July 2, 1922, shortly before 11:30pm,[2] a derailment of train № 33 the Owl, with Philadelphia and Reading Railway Eng № 349. The train was going approximately 90 miles (140 km) per hour as it sped through an open switch.[2] The derailment of train № 33 resulted in most of the six-car Atlantic City express plunging down an embankment into the WJ&S's southbound Cape May branch connecting track. This resulted in the death of 3 passengers, 3 employees and 1 Pullman porter, and the injury of 84 passengers and 5 employees.[3]

Investigation

The Interstate Commerce Commission investigation found that the route could have been changed after the train had passed the distant signal at the plant was not interlocked, but there was not evidence that this had been done. The report further stated that the engineer failed to acknowledge the junction by blowing the whistle and attempt to stop the train.[2]

From the ICC report

"This accident was caused by failure of Engineman Wescott of train № 33 to be governed by automatic and interlocking signal indications, which resulted in train № 33 taking the diverging route at a high rate of speed and being derailed due to the outer rail of the curve giving way."[3]

See also

References
  1. Cook & Coxey 1980, p. 172.
  2. Gladulich 1986.
  3. "ICC report on Winslow Junction Train Derailment". Railway Signal Engineer. Simmons Boardman Publishing Co (Chicago). 1922. pp. 387–389. - Version held by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics National Transportation Library.

Bibliography
  • Cook, W. George; Coxey, William J. (1980). Atlantic City Railroad: The Royal Route To The Sea. Palmyra, New Jersey: West Jersey Chapter, National Railway Historical Society. pp. 123–124.
  • Gladulich, Richard M. (1986). By rail to the boardwalk. Glendale, California: Trans Anglo Books. ISBN 0-87046-076-5.

39.7199°N 74.9053°W / 39.7199; -74.9053


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