[PRCo] Re: Speedrail etc.

[Dwight Long]

Fred

Thanks for sharing that.  I well remember my horror as a child when learning of the terrible accident (from the pages of Railroad Magazine).  And of course, not only the passengers died, but so did Speedrail--although it struggled on for almost two more years, this was really the final nail in its coffin, so to speak.  

There was great debate after this tragedy as to whether enthusiast tours should continue or not.  Ultimately reason prevailed, but a great pall was cast over them for years.  I suppose few folks these days are old enough to recall this event, and it is helpful to bring it back to life from time to time to emphasize the absolute need for safety, not only in excursions on commercial railways, but also in museum operations.

Dan will be my roommate for the Kolkata events in February.

Dwight
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Fred Schneider 
  To: Pittsburgh-Railways at Dementia.Org 
  Sent: Monday, 20 December, 2010 20:54
  Subject: [PRCo] Speedrail etc.


  Contains adult content ... do not view before dinner.
  This is the story of the Milwaukee NMRA 1950 convention in video with pictures of the Speedrail accident ... and other scenes from that weekend.

  It was sent to me by Dan Joseph, a CERA member, CTA's shortest bus driver and world traveler.    

  I'm putting it here for Ken Josephson to see.   Some of the rest of you might like it ... shows Speedrail, a North Shore "Electroliner" leaving the terminal in Milwaukee and even some steam action on the Milwaukee Road.  

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8IMAFRnbQQ