The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1897-05-27
KILLED On THE RAIL
LAST YEAR THERE WERE $40 DEATHS
BY RAILWAY ACCIDENTS.

Broken and Spread Rails a Prolific Cause
Of Disaster-D erAilments Were Numer-
ous-Defects In the American system Of
Collecting Information. Ii
OF the l. 357 accidents reported dur
+ ing 1896, 792 were derailments 514
4 collisions, and 81 We're Of a miscsllane-
Gus nature. OF the derailments, 70 re-
suited from defects of road, 1873 from
defective equipment, 66 from negli-
gence in operation, l46 from unforeseen
distractions and 3l4 from unexplained
causes. Those resulting from defects
of road were caused in 26 instances by
broken rails, in is cases by loose or
spread rails and in 10 others by broken
bridges or trestles. Broken axles caused
"a accidents ascribed to defective equip |
ment. Derailments due to negligence in
operation resulted from misplaced
switches in 2S cases. Unforeseen OBJ
structions were accidental in s6 in
stances. malicious in IS, caused by ami
mails in "a, by washouts i'll 80, and by
snow or ice in 9. OF the collisions, 22S
were from the rear. Other accidents
z
: plosions, 10; broken parallel or con
e Meeting roo, 8 cars burned while in
u motion, 4; various breakages of rolling
u stock, IL; other causes, IA.
The notable disasters of the year oc-
N CURED at Atlantic City and Logan, La.
u Seven passengers lost their lives in the
N accident ON small road in Arcata,
IN Cal, last September. In October were
TO killed in collision at Windsor Springs,
ce Mo. Altogether 1873 passengers were re-
he ported killed during 1896, which is 80
Is more than those killed the year previ-
a Gus. The whole number killed, includ'
ing passengers, employees and others, is
We $40. Total number killed during 1895
he was 4l5. Total number injured last
in year was 1897; the year previous
he / ,535 By far the greater proportion Of
IN all accidents reported during the last q
30. years have been derailments.
be These have been fewer, however, dur
zee ing the last year than in 1895, whei
its $40 were reported. Two years befor
he that lin 1881 l,2l2 occurred, whicl
be was the largest number reported durin
FOR single year. Broken and loose o
are spread rails have been the chief cause
,a- of accidents occurring the last "a year
far attributed 20 defects in road,
vs. The AmCric system of collectin
The statistical information respecting raj
ore way accidents is so incomplete as
,at render untrustworthy much availab
information. Many minor casualties o.
- curing in remote territories, it is prol
: able, are never reported at all, and Il
~ conclusions arrived at by coroner
iuries are regarded with suspicion
- those desiring impartial testimony CO
~ corning IA subject of general interest al
- farreaching importance. Although RAJ
IN road commissions of various states su
"a ply additional data, such bodies a
W. generally composed of politicians, me
i,'n' of whom are not qualified to deal wi
I'm the technical aspects of the subjeC
vs. considered, even if they We're witho
UNI bias in the matter. For these reasons
is impossible to trace the origin
many important though frequent
recurring accidents with scientific
: ~ actness, but the advantages of havi
: ~ good railway material obtainable
reasonable rates will be obvious to q
one familiar with the condition of ]
80 80 merous small roads
49, 49, In England the board of trade at +
50 ular intervals issues tabulated sta
't'ps ments, giving full information as to
"a nature of accidents occurring ON
various roads in the United Kingdt
tne These are thoroughly accurate and
! the aooo,,,,,,,;ed bv reports from insnect
ul'a- engineers of the railway departm
OF concerning the cause and extent
al IN every accident. Such investigate
upon therefore, are conducted by thoroug
'cure experienced men, who are appointed
life and are prompted by no other
meat, tive than desire to get at the facts
ryes, each case. Railroad Gazette.