55 years ago at Pan, Ohio on the former Lake Erie, Alliance & Wheeling RR line which morphed into the Alliance Division, then folded into the Cleveland Division and then the Lake Division, there was a rear-end collision in which 1 employee was killed and another injured.
The first southbound train Dpd. Minerva at 10:30PM with 2 units and 61 cars, followed at 11:45PM by the second train which was cab lite and picked up cars en route. Both trains cleared the main track at Shepherd's to meet a northbound train. After the meet, the first southbound Dpd. at 1:50AM followed 10" later by the second train. The second train set out its consist at Amsterdam, then proceeded cab lite at about 2:20AM and at about 2:35AM struck the rear end of the first train which had stopped to work at Pan.
The casualties were the Conductor and Flagman of the lead train who were in their caboose at impact.
This was timetable / train order / no block territory in which each crew is responsible to protect itself. There was no evidence of any fusees having been dropped by the lead train. The crew of the following train stated that the crew of the lead train did not mention having to work at Pan. Due to curvature and lay of the land, the sight distance on the caboose was less than 200' and impact speed was 20mph as shown on the speed tape.
The first southbound train Dpd. Minerva at 10:30PM with 2 units and 61 cars, followed at 11:45PM by the second train which was cab lite and picked up cars en route. Both trains cleared the main track at Shepherd's to meet a northbound train. After the meet, the first southbound Dpd. at 1:50AM followed 10" later by the second train. The second train set out its consist at Amsterdam, then proceeded cab lite at about 2:20AM and at about 2:35AM struck the rear end of the first train which had stopped to work at Pan.
The casualties were the Conductor and Flagman of the lead train who were in their caboose at impact.
This was timetable / train order / no block territory in which each crew is responsible to protect itself. There was no evidence of any fusees having been dropped by the lead train. The crew of the following train stated that the crew of the lead train did not mention having to work at Pan. Due to curvature and lay of the land, the sight distance on the caboose was less than 200' and impact speed was 20mph as shown on the speed tape.