The evening world., 1891-12-02
BLOCK SIGNALS NOT WORKED.
Awful Loss of Life Narrowly
Averted en- the Central.


TARRyTowN, n. y, Dec. 2.-1he wreck
caused By the collision last night, in which
the Chicago express crashed in;o the rear OF
the Croton cal, has been cleared away.
1t is miracle to all that scores OF people
were not killed, as the express train was 60
ing almost at full speed when It smashed
into he train ahead.
The Croton local left New York at $40
o'clock last night. Twenty minutes later, at
6 o'clock. the Chicago express pulled out
from the Grand Central Depot. !ccording to
the schedule the express should gain on the
local so that when Tarrytown was reached.
the express should be precisely 10 minutes
behind the local.
The local train had been delayed by a
freight train for fully twenty-five minutes.
The conductor and engineer OF the local
knew the Chicago express was behind them,
but supposed they were safe, as the system OF
block signals which is IN operation along the
road would prevent the express from running
into their block. This would have prevented
any accident.
The block should have been set about one
eighth OF a mile 1rom the station to warn the
the hicagO express that there was danger
ahead. This does not appear 10 have been
done.
The local had Just pulled into the Tarry-
town depot when the express train crashed
into her rear. The cars OF the local
train, consisting OF two passenger coaches
and compartment car, were teiescoped and
the locomotive was wrecked. The l)colao-
tive OF the express train telescoped the rear
car OF the loca, and became firmly lnlbedded
| an he "
The forward sleeper OF the express was par
TALLY wrecked.
The alarm was given and the passengers
rushed pell-meil out Of the cars and upon the
pla form. This undoub edly saved many
! lives.
The question now arises whether the block
system was properly set Engineer Burns, of
not set and there was nothing TO warn MIN
there was danger ahead. ON account OF the
curve, he did not see the tail lights or the
local until It was 100 late TO avoid the acci-
dent.
ahead he reversed his engine ana applied the
steam brakes. II was too late to stop his
train. which at this point OF the road Is ac-
customed to run very lrst. The Chicago eE-
press does not stop at Tarrytown. It's first
stop after leaving Mott Haven Is PouGhkccp-
sic. 1t was running at q very high rate OF
speed lust bcfOrc Burns saw the lighi5 OF the
train ahead. 1t was scarcely 300 feet ahead
OF him.
The wrecked locomotive and the cars were
Piled up before the station for several hours.
Two wrcCking trains were soon at the scene
OF the accident but they had hard work TO
clear one or the tracks Tor travel II was u
very bad wreck and the damage Will amount
to nearly $4,000.
There is dispute between Engineer Burns,
OF the express, and Night Watchlnan Calkins,
signals himself last night. Engineer Burns
declared positively there was no signal.
Some OF the passengers were Injured. one
OF them, Matthew Tanner. OF Albany, Is at
the Perry House. lie telegraphcd his wife Of
his accident last night, and she arrived this
morning.
Peter Smith, of Sing Sing, was cut by flying
glass on his hand. Or. Flynn, OF New York
was also cut on the hand