Early on the morning of November 29, 1968, two freight trains collided head on just south of Hale Center, Texas, on the Plainview District. As a result, the 213L broke completely in half just behind the cab (as designed). Late that afternoon, the Amarillo and Slaton derricks (both steam powered at the time) lift the nose portion of the 213L onto a flat car for the trip to Cleburne Shops south of Fort Worth/Dallas. The 213L and the 270C (lead unit on the other train) were both scrapped. Although the trains hit at a combined speed of 40 m.p.h. on a curve, no cars were derailed. There were two minor injuries resulting from this collision, but thankfully, nothing serious. I do have a photo of the 270C. It looks just like the 213L in this photo except that it did not break in two. However, the frame is bent at the same location as 213s break. There are more photos and information about this wreck in my book WARBONNETS AND BLUEBONNETS (Santa Fe in Texas), pages 168-169. I do have one additional photo of this affair and if the screeners accept it, it will appear later. Photograph and publication by Joe McMillan
Posted on: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 03:52:16 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015