Group - Here's one for Leo. I recently came across a poor quality post
card image of Q No. 2800 (the first Class S-1 4-6-2 type) laying on
its side in Aurora, IL. The image was dated June 10, 1909:
I shared this image with Group member Hol Wagner and he in turn had another
much better quality post card image of the same wreck, but from a different
angle. Hol said was OK to share it with our Group. I'm inserting and
attaching both images:
Train 47 was one of the Twin Cities trains, and the locomotive is S-1
2800. I'm attaching another postcard image of the derailment, along with
the description on the back of the card; you can post them, too.
Hol
- - - -
From the descriptions on the backsides of both post cards, the engineer was
seriously injured when 2800 rolled over. The locomotive landed on a "flag
shanty" and its occupant was also seriously injured. Looking at the crushed cab
and flattened shanty, it's a wonder both employees weren't killed.
Leo, looking at the second image, when you zoom-in on the tower, I
think it reads "38." Or, may be "30." Since this wreck occurred well prior
to elevating the tracks through downtown Aurora, can you tell us
more-or-less just where this tower was located?
No reason is given for the derailment, but since it occurred near a
tower and at a grade crossing protected by a flag man, perhaps, No. 2800
struck a wagon on the tracks or a pilot wheel "picked" a switch point.
Does any mention of this wreck appear in your copious Brotherhood records or any
other Aurora historical documents and images you have
collected?
No. 2800, only three years old when it derailed, was repaired, converted
into a Class S-1-A locomotive in 1925 and then faithfully served the
Q until March 1951 when it was retired and sold for scrap. Best Regards -
Louis
Louis Zadnichek II Fairhope, AL
