Nostalgia & History > SP FP7 6455 wreck at San Antonio

A friend gave me this slide.  San Antonio 2/10/73.  Does anyone have more info about this accident?   Photographer was Louis Krizak



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/23/20 06:44 by masterphots.

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If that blue car was (as it looks) hit by the locomotive, the accident report must have seemed unreal. "I was parked at a store when a locomotive jumped the tracks from above and fell and hit my car."
Bob

One of the F units from the Amtrak Sunset Limited ? 6455 is an FP7.
I think Amtrak was still using the SP units during this time and don't think the SP had any F's in freight service anymore.
Gary



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/23/20 07:05 by gcm.

I recall that a photo appeared in 2200S in the early 70s that described the incident

Posted from iPhone

That must have been one heck of a ride for the engine crew!

Victor A. Baird
http://www.erstwhilepublications.com

He has come across Austin Street, just south of Duval St.  The San Antonio locomotive shops are just out of view to the right, across the double track mains and a lead track.
The depot is about a mile south (behind the photographer).  This is a 9 degree, 45 minute curve, quite sharp.
I wasn't on the division at that time and don't know the cause.
Seeing the damage to the nose, I faintly remember an incident where a train hit a large concrete power pylon, but I'm not sure.
In late 1982 No. 2 derailed here, one of those six axle GE engines widened out the gauge and it derailed both engines and two cars, but they stayed in line with the track.
After re-railing that same engine went on over to Houston and derailed again.  
We learned a lot about gauge widening from those beasts.

 It looks like the engineer was just looking for a parking space , and missed by a little | 

Looking at the signage it looks like they decided to grab a couple of cold ones while getting their shoes shined,

The unit survived to fight another day as it eventually was renumbered as Amtrak 118 with the SP painted out.

Milwaukee Wrote:
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> The unit survived to fight another day as it
> eventually was renumbered as Amtrak 118 with the
> SP painted out.

... and here it is @ Martinez CA on 2/7/76 by ?

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Found that photo in x2200 South. Says that the Sunset hit a derailed freight car.

More photos here...

https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?11,3472665

 

From the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram, February 9, 1973, page 37:
 

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Nothing helpful.
One heck of a mess.
"Shine Stand" (sign)
;)