Sunnyland Limited Train Wreck

Subject: Sunnyland Limited Train Wreck
From: Gene
Date: 02 Sep 04 - 11:07 PM

Stumbled across an interesting article about a train wreck
in mississippi around 4:18 a.m. on Feb 16, 1939.

The Sunnyland Limited collided head-on with a Frisco freight
headed south near Quincy, Miss.

Engineer George Bowers died in the wreck with his
hand locked on the brake. No other fatalities mentioned.

According to the article, no song was ever written about it?

Anyone have any additional information on this?

Subject: RE: Sunnyland Limited Train Wreck
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 03 Sep 04 - 01:15 AM

What is your source article? What rail line?
Nothing in "Long Steel Rail," by Cohen

Subject: RE: Sunnyland Limited Train Wreck
From: Gene
Date: 03 Sep 04 - 02:53 AM

found more information here -- down the list to Quincy, Mississippi

original article stated 3 crewmen died

http://www.du.edu/~jcalvert/railway/trainord.htm

Subject: RE: Sunnyland Limited Train Wreck
From: Gene
Date: 03 Sep 04 - 03:01 AM

extracted from referenced article.

Apparently, neither train responded to any signals at Approach.

No. 107 arrived at too high a speed (especially in view of the expected wait).

No. 238 responded only to the Stop at signal 6204, and overran it by 2158', a considerable amount, because of the 1.23% descending grade.

There was no time to flag, and the collision occurred at 4.20 am in clear weather.

The engineman and train porter of No. 107 were killed, along with a tramp on No. 238.

Subject: RE: Sunnyland Limited Train Wreck
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 03 Sep 04 - 01:07 PM

SL&SF Line, better known as the Frisco. The club may have some information. Click on 'Contact' at the following website and send an Email.
Frisco

The line became part of Burlington Northern in 1980.
No information found on any song about the accident.

Subject: RE: Sunnyland Limited Train Wreck
From: Gene
Date: 03 Sep 04 - 11:24 PM

additional NFO:
The correct name of the locomotive involved in the wreck
was just [SUNNYLAND]

and the 3 fatalities were crewmen of the engines involved,
one who was originally mistaken for a tramp/hobo was later
identified as an employee.

[LIMITED] was inadvertently added by the author of the
article...who talked personally with a witness of the incident
back in 1939 and provided copies of what may be the only 2 known existing photographs.

The original article was published in the TOMBIGBEE COUNTRY MAGAZINE in 2003...

I was just wondering why, with so many songs about train
wrecks, one was never written about this one..

but then again, the reverence below cites MANY train wrecks
thru the years, that most people have never heard about

http://www.du.edu/~jcalvert/railway/trainord.htm

Subject: RE: Sunnyland Limited Train Wreck
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Sep 04 - 11:48 PM

Thanks, Gene, these are very interesting and do make one wonder why there aren't more songs about them. How about your trying your hand at writing one?

kat