New-York tribune., 1891-02-21
DETAILS OF THE ACCIDENT


FOWLER Louis engineer OF New-Haven local. slightly
injured by jumping from engine.
DETAILS OF THE ACCIDENT.
In the Grand Central yard, which extends from
the station at FOrty-second-st TO Mott Haven, all
trains pass to the left, and in whichever direction
they may be going take the track the left side Of
the tunnel This arrangement places all signals
on the left. fireman's side. of the locomotive,
the engineer sitting on the right
The Boston and Albany express. with score
or more of car-cleaners on board, was on the west
track of the middle tunnel. going toward the
shops at Mott Haven. where It was to be laid
up" and cleaned. II left the Grand Central Sta
ton at 40. and had speed of six miles an hour.
The heavy atmosphere prevented the tunnel from
clearing itself Of steam and smoke. and it was
difficult TO see the white, green and red signal
lamps the walls.
The New Haven accommodation train, No. 10.
left the station at Z 02 on the track occupied by
the other, having on board about 25 passengers.
and when it reached Fifty-ninth-st. was running
thirty miles an hour.
The fireman was Charles Wellington, and the
engineer, Louis Fowler, said to him as they
entered the tunnel:
Keep close lookout for the signals Charley
Wellington asserts that he leaned out of the
cab window and saw the lights. one after the
other, as the engine approached them. At the
Fifty-nnth-st signal station both the distant
and the " home lights were white which sig
nfed that the block ahead was clear. so on sped
the train. The next signal station is at Seventy
second-st The - distant" signal is a square lamp
showing white on one side and green on the other,
and is 1000 feet in front of the home signal,
which is Immediately opposite the station and
has white and red side. These signals in
terlociing. One cannot turn without the other
10th must show white lights at the same time,
or when one shows green the other must show
red When the green is flashed upon an ap-
preaching train it must slow up. and when it
comes to the red, it must stop.
FOG AND STEAM oBsCURED THE LIGHTS.
"How are the lights, Charley?' said Engineer
Fowler. when the train was nearing Seventy
second-st.
"All clear" Wellington shouted back. and the
train dashed on The mist thick without, and
the fog of steam and smoke within the tunnel
almost impenetrable.
At a point about halfway between Eighty.
fourth and Eighty-ifth SITS. the engine hurled
itself against the rear of the Boston and Albany
express, wrecking the smoking-car and driving II
partly through the palace car to which 1t was
coupled. Both trains came TO a standstill within
a quarter of minute. The engineer Of the ex-
press did not know when his train was struck.
He felt the pulling very hard, while his en-
gine began to stop. The signal-man at Eighty
sixth-st put his head ont of the window Of his
box and shouted:
"All right; go ahead.'
He thought the engineer was stopping because
unable 20 see the signals, but the latter shouted
L. Inl tho 10
81 can't Ny air is on.
The sudden destruction of the rear two coaches
had put on the automatic brakes.
Fowler and Wellington jumped from their en-
gine as it crashed into the smoker and the former
was slightly injured. lie able, however. to
take care of his engine when he learned that only
its front end was broken.
THIRD ENGINE JOINS THE WRECK.
The tunnel was filled with wreckage by the
collision. and moment after it occurred lghe
,wtch-engne the down track ran into IT,
jumped the rails and turned partly across the
tunnel Six were Oh it, and, wonderful "
tell, none was hurt.
The teescoped cars, mass OF broken tlmpers
md splinters, were piled up under one OF the roof
openings of the tunnel and, taking fire immedt-
,tely. the smoke attracted the attention Of peo-
ple in the neighborhood. Those that were near
heard shrieks and calls for help. Civilians
md policemen climbed over the railing OF the
,mall park that surrounds the opening and looked
lown upon the wreck.
RUSHING TO TIE RESCUE
A crowd quickly collected and all possible as
sistancc was given. Two hre-aarms brought Six
engines, which soon began playing on the hames.
Ladders were brought and let down through tAo