Nostalgia & History > Another 35th anniversary SW Limited derailment post

Just a few weeks after the combined Southwest Ltd/Lone Star wrecked in Lawrence, KS, the Southwest Chief was on the ground again in the small town of Offerle, KS.
Picture 1 is from Amtrak Kansas District manager's files. The date was actually October 22nd, 1979.
Picture 2 shows the extensive damage to the vestibule. I believe these were ex-ATSF Palm series cars.
Picture 3 shows the fluting torn off on the side.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/22/14 06:29 by mp51w.

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mp51w Wrote:
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> Just a few weeks after the combined Southwest
> Ltd/Lone Star wrecked in Lawrence, KS, the
> Southwest Chief was on the ground again in the
> small town of Offerle, KS.
> Picture 1 is from Amtrak Kansas District manager's
> files. The date was actually October 22nd, 1979.
> Picture 2 shows the extensive damage to the
> vestibule. I believe these were ex-ATSF Palm
> series cars.
> Picture 3 shows the fluting torn off on the side.


Picture 4 sleeper laying down just past the grain elevator.
Picture 5 John gives a clue to the cause of the accident.
Picture 6 shows maybe the next days train crawling by on the siding.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/22/14 06:37 by mp51w.

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Chester, Anything to add to this?



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/22/14 06:28 by mp51w.

It was only the rear three cars that derailed, due to the track defect. Track speed here was 90mph back then.
There were no fatalities, but a few folks were pretty well beat up. The ATSF immediately placed a slow order of
30 mph on jointed rail until the angle bars were thoroughly tested. That's why No.3 went thru in broad
daylight the next day, using the siding at Offerle to get by.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/22/14 15:11 by The_Chief_Way.

Operating crews on the early Amtrak train 4 the SW Limited, at Offerle, KS in 1979, were based out of Newton, KS and worked between Newton and Dodge City, KS.