2/7/1956 at Kokomo Indiana PRR 5778(DR6-4-2000) PRR Baldwin Sharknose 5778 lies on its side in Kokomo, Indiana. This was PRR passenger train #208, which ran from Chicago to Cincinnati. The train had made it's regularly scheduled station stop in Kokomo, and was accelerating southbound when the lead engine was diverted by a mis-thrown switch onto an industrial siding, the curvature of which caused the lead unit to tip over from inertia. Fortunately the train wasn't rolling at high speed yet, and the engineer and firemen both survived. None of the trailing cars tipped over, and there were no injuries among the passengers or train crew. Subsequent investigation determined that the switch had been thrown by a young boy (approx age 10-12) who had somehow obtained a switch key, unlocked the siding switch, and thrown it ahead of the train. Photo by Maynard Krug - Bob Krug Collection
Wow, amazing that there were no injuries. I wonder if the boy was ever reprimanded for his foul deed?
At least one passenger car in the train was sufficiently damaged that it had to be scrapped. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1897841 At one time that coach had been assigned to the Southerner. http://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=35551&start=55
Baldwin Sharknose PRR 5778 lies toppled on an industrial siding in Kokomo, IN Photo by Maynard Krug - Bob Krug Collection
I bet that kid's rear end was a rosy red and stinging after that...... Glad no one was injured, but that poor Shark!
