Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1917-03-16
BOARD FIXES BLAME
FOR COLLISION AT MOXA |

An investigation was held in Mont
pelier on Monday, March 5, to de-
termine the cause and responsibility
for the accident two and half miles
west of Moxa on the morning OF
March 4th. The board was compos-
ed OF ]. r. Brennan, representative
Of the public and the three Short
Line officials, A. B, Stevenson, Bu-
perintendent; j. q. Davis, assistant
supt.; Hyrum Crane, general road
foreman OF engines; ]. s. Orr. sig
nal supervisor and l.. Rasmussen,
claim adjuster.
The findings of the board are as
follows:
That Extra East, engine 2512. I'm
charge of conductor j Il. Armstrong,
Brakemen w w. Hansen and c. L.
Lawson and Engineer w. b. Clinging
beard, and Fireman John c. Moore,
consisting of engine, 80 freight cars
and caboose. was stopped at inter
mediate home signal located at mile
/ post 1914, at 4:45 a. m; stopped be
fore reaching signal, and whlstled out
I flag to rear and ahead. At 1851 a
m, flagman was recalled from thu
rear In the meantime Brakeman C
l.. Lawson had preceded aheac
4
and flagman from the rear was called
in for the train to follow the flag
man ahead. At about 1852 a. m the
rear end OF Extra 2512 was struck
by Extra east, Engine 2513, when
train consisted of engine. four freight
cars and cabOose. In charge OF con
ductor o. w. Inman, Brakemen Fred
Bunch and A. +. Calhoun, Engineer
Paul Gertsch and Fireman E. b. Mel
son.
We further find that contributing
causes leading to the rear end col
lision were, failure on the part o.
Engineer Paul Gertsch and Fireman
f. B. Nelson to observe an automat-
lie block signal located on mile post
1872 running by the same in stop po-
sition the testimony indicating that
Fireman f. B. Nelson failed to OBJ
serve this signal at all and Engineer
Gertsch not knowing whether II was,
or was not. an stop position. claim
ing that railing smoke from the en-
CINE obscured their view, but admit
ting this was no cause for not know
ing the position of the signal.
Conductor ]. B. Armstrong is re-
: sponsihle for not knowing that his
rear brakeman, w. w. Hansen flag
> btA pIOpGii9t anu w W
Hansen is responsible for not flag
, ging properly and inaccordance with
the rules.
The crew OF Extra 2512 East had
: had the required amount OF rest be
I fore starting on this trip and had
been on duty II hours and 81 min
utes at time accident occurred. Crew
of Extra 2513 East had the require
: amount Of rest before starting on the
= trip and at the time of the accident
. had been on duty 8 hours and q
minutes.
), The testimony indicates that Ex
ira 25I3 passed Opal at 40 a. n
K made stop at Nutria. inspected trair
! for two or three minutes. The dis
9 lance from Opal to point OF acciden
Is fourteen miles indicating that FIX
ira 2513 must have made a speed d
. about forty miles an hour
r The testimony shows that the ali
d ard all equipment was in good con
dition and working properly. Thu
- track for seven miles west Of point o
= accident IA on slight dnacandfni
e grade. At the point Of accident ant
+ ke- Ism feet west thereof the tract
Re f. straight The weather was ciea
ic and cold with brisk southeast wind
? We therefore conclude that tn
y accident was due 10 the failure o
Engineer Paul csrtsoh and FiFemal