Originally written by Carl White.
White Mountain Express Photo
While scanning the Gotch historic photo collection, I came across a picture of a passenger train that had derailed near the Greenwich Railroad Station in 1908. All the passenger cars were “off the rails”, and people were standing all over the tracks and surrounding area. The train was the White Mountain Express, one of the trains from the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad. It derailed just east of Greenwich.
Train Derails
The train left Grand Central Station at 8:40 am on July 16, 1908. There were two electric motor cars and nine passenger cars. It was carrying 300 passengers. As it passed through Greenwich, it was traveling at 50 miles per hour. It was reported that the train left the track about 20 feet from the South Greenwich Avenue bridge (Steamboat Road). The two-engine cars and several Pullman cars ended up about 500 feet ahead of the rest of the train.
Witnesses said they heard a mighty crash and creak. Every tie on the bridge was torn out and dropped to the street. Rails and iron attachments were twisted into fantastic shapes. As the cars plowed on, they bumped over ties and dug a good foot or two into the railroad bed. There were flying ties, flying pieces of iron, and dust all over.
People on the platform and in the street below rushed to the assistance of the victims. Since the doors were stuck shut, rescuers crawled through the windows. They offered aid to the injured and distraught. Just their presence was a Godsend. Panic-stricken men and women were fighting to exit through broken windows. Some even crawled over one another to escape. The police set up lines to keep the onslaught of people from overrunning the scene. It’s estimated that over 10,000 people viewed the accident. Trolleys from east and west transported people to the scene. Automobiles and carriages filled both sides of the street below the track.
Doctors and ambulances arrived quickly. Finch’s Drug Store turned into a triage center. Firemen rushed to the scene and used axes and saws to remove people from the train. The Police did an exemplary job of crowd control. Many survivors rushed to make telephone calls or send telegrams to loved ones. The Greenwich Stationmaster notified Grand Central Station.
By 11:35 am a wrecking train from New York City arrived to put the 2 motor cars and passenger cars back on the track. The track had to be replaced because only one track was usable. They also prohibited freight trains from using the track, and preference had to be given to Boston by train. Lanterns were used to continue working at night.
Fortunately. the weather cooperated and work was able to continue unhindered. About 125 railroad men arrived at 9 pm. They started to clear the track. Since there was no relief, and the men had to work until the job was done, the Stationmaster had 500 sandwiches and coffee from the Greenwich bakery brought to the site. These were served in one of the cars of the work train.
Passengers Continue the Train Ride
At 11 am, a train from Stamford arrived to pick up the remaining passengers and take them to their destinations. They were allowed to continue, even if they didn’t have their tickets. Half remained in Greenwich, staying at hotels and homes of private families, who generously offered shelter. The Greenwich News made a list of injured and uninjured passengers. This was very useful for family members searching for relatives.
In the end, only 1 person died while 10 others were injured. Miss Marguerite Armstrong – who was traveling with her mother – died when she got caught between a car and the roadbed. Firemen had to employ a jackscrew, saw, and axe to free her from underneath the wreck, but she died on the scene. She had suffered a broken neck. Mrs. C.M. Crandall from New York City received a head wound and was transported to the Greenwich Hospital for treatment.
Investigation
Investigators discovered that the tracks were spread at various intervals by as much as one-quarter to an inch. Some of the ties had dry rot. There was evidence of a broken axle and a broken wheel flange. Police arrested the engineer and conductor, and brought them before a judge. On July 25, a Governor’s Inquest found that the NY, NH & Hartford Railroad was negligent. Tie plates used to hold rails to the ties were missing in some places. This allowed the rails to spread. Some speculated that the use of two engines in tandem caused the spread. Several ties had been subjected to dry rot, allowing spikes to wiggle. Although no definite cause was found, the railroad was still held accountable.
It was amazing that there weren’t more deaths or injuries. First responders (including strangers) were quick to help victims. It always amazes me that people are willing to help someone they don’t even know. They put the welfare of their fellow man first.
This is one of many things that make Greenwich unique.
SOURCE
Greenwich Graphic: The Wrecked Train; July 18, 1908; Greenwich CT
Greenwich News; White Mountain Express Derailed, 1 Killed 10 Injured Yesterday at Greenwich Depot; July 17, 1908; Greenwich CT
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