November 29, 1968 was shaping up to be just another day for Santa Fe 213L, an EMD F7A in freight service on the Plainview District main line in north Texas. 

Hook up and run through Hale Center, taking its load of cars to wherever they needed to go.  Shame about the tornado that tore through the center of town a few years earlier, though.  Never was a big place, and some folks decided they didn't want to come back afterwards... Lubbock to the south, Amarillo to the north, plenty of big city reasons to move in either one.  'Sfunny how things change.  Even that US 87, runs parallel to the main line, it's gettin' replaced by something called I-27.  Saw it gettin' built as we ran back and forth over the years.  Dunno if it's better, but it's new... train'll still carry more stuff than trucks will, more than likely.  Although that may not be true for long... lotta guys retirin' early, or just being let go, and who ever thought that'd happen? 

Huh.  Could swear that looks like a train out there, just south of Hale.  Hm...


In fact, it was another train, Santa Fe freight engine 270C, coming the other way.  While everybody did their level best to prevent a collision, the two engines hit at an estimated 40mph.

213L split right behind the cab, exactly as designed.  Keeps the prime movers from crushing the crew, sort of like a car's crumple zone.  Looks dramatic as all heck, though.

While both engines involved were scrapped, there were only two minor injuries.  Probably happened when the crews bailed out, if they did.  I'd assume they did... 20mph is kinda fast to jump from a train to the dry Texas dirt, but what was about to happen would probably make it look like an attractive proposition.  Sadly, I couldn't find any pictures of 270C... I'm going to assume it turned into confetti after the collision.

But how about that picture of 213L being lifted?  Man, that's pretty.  I mean, other than the wrecked cab portion that is, but the color and composition is great.  Golden Hour, indeed

Posted by: Wonderduck at 11:37 PM | Comments (8) | Add Comment
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