Archie
I think the event took place at the Northern Illinois Fair Associtation gounds
(NIFA Branch) on the west side of the river north of Aurora(use to be before
you got to North Aurora) Later Aurora Downs also site of first Aurora Airport
sjh
----- Original Message -----
From: archieh1946
To: BRHSlist@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, November 18, 2002 9:11 AM
Subject: [BRHSlist] head on collision
List, I recently aquired an old post card with a real photo of a
staged head on collision between two steam engines. Each engine was
pulling at least one old coach and each coach had a banner hanging on
the side lettered "EVOLUTION" and "ANTIEVOLUTION". The phto was shot
almost at the instant of impact as one can see dust coming out of the
coach windows which incidently have been removed. The engines are
enveloped in smoke, dust, and steam so they are not identifiable,
however, one of the tenders is numbered 295 or at least the last
three digets are 295. The caption under the photo is "Train Wreck at
Arurora, Ill, (Doubleday). A simpleminded spectator is pictured
standing very close to the collision wearing a flat straw hat one
might wear during the roaring twenties or a little earlier. I'll bet
he never heard about the extensive injuries inflicted on the
spectators back on September 15, 1896 near Waco, Texas when two Katy
trains were run together at a combined speed of 90mph. My bet is if
one would look up the date of the Scopes trial, this incident on my
postcard would be very close to that date. Since this was staged in
Aurora, Ill, I thought someone on the list might have some info on
the event. Thanks for any help which may be offered, Archie
Hayden PS If we were to find out that the Burlington was involved
in this event, I would be happy to put the picture in the list files.
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