The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1924-07-10
Rails Spread Because of
Sun Blamed for Wreck
on North Shore Line.
VICTIMS RECOVERING
Three Injured as Train Leaves
Tracks Near Prairie Avenue
Now Recovering Rapidly.

Official investigation today fixed the
cause Of the wreck of the Cream CITY
Limited, crack North Shore train, mere
Saturday as 'sun-run rail" Expan-
sion of the steel rails under the heat
of the sun forced the track to spread
at the point where the ballast was
weakest, it was stated.
The three passengers who were in
iured were reported to be rapidly re-
covering. None will be permanently
injured, it was stated. Frederick Mel
CHER, 81 years old, of Beverly, N. j.,
who was saved from bleeding to death
by the timely arrival of DIR. A: ).
Randall, company's physician, VIII
leave the Kenosha hospital some time
to-day, according to information given.
Mrs. Meva r. Mcguire, Of kenwood
avenue, Chicago, who was taken to the
Kenosha hospital suffering from shock
and minor bruises, was removed to
her home later in the day. F. }. Aulp-
ers, of Milwaukee, who suffered bruises
and shock, was removed to his home
early Sunday morning.
Trains Are Moved.
In spite of the wreck which tied up
both south and north bound rails,
trains from Chicago and Milwaukee
continued to move over the line while
the debris at the Prairie avenue cross
ing was being cleared up by wreck
ing crew which was Immediately des-
patched from Highwood, Ill.
Passengers were transferred around
the scene Of the accident in two Of the
conpany's motor buses which were
called into emergency service. Whlle
trains could not be moved on schedule,
the longest delay was about ID minutes
at the terminals, it was stated. orders
for the buses and the transf fer Of the
passengers were issued immediately
by the company's dispatcher.
The north, bound track was opened
shortly before o'clock, slightly more
than four hours after the train had
leaped from the track at 12:47 p. m.
The first train went over the repaired
right of way less than 80 minutes lat
err. The last car was gotten back on
the south bound track about 1880 p.
M, and the word flashed down the line
that schedules could be resumed at
1920.
Engineer Sees Rail.
The investigation brought out the
fact that the accident might have been
much more serious had not Ernest
Kesler, engineer of the train, been
watching his rail closely. He saw the
"kink in the rail- when he was about
200 feet from it and Immediately APP
piled the emergency air. and reduced
the speed Of the train from 40 miles
to between IS and 80. The train was
too heavy to bring it to stop before
striking the spot.
The front tracks of the first coach
got over without leaving the rail, but
this strain was too much for the
track. 1t gave way and let the rear
trucks down on the road bed. The
diner, which was following, left the
rails, as did the two coaches which
were following. The heavy coaches,
each weighing about 45 tons, then
ploughed along the right Of way for
about 275 feet befc coming to a stop.
The train left the tracks about ~
feet north of the Prairie avenue cross
ing, it was stated. The damage to the
cars and the road bed was estimated
at approximately $4,000. This figure
did not take into consideration the loss
of fares due to the accident.
Cars Stay Upright.
None of the cars tipped over. Off
Gals of the road pointed out the fact
that it is practically impossible to turn
the heavy coaches on their sides be-
cause they are built with very low
center of gravity. Each coach is equip
ped with its own motors and most of
the weight is conferred In the motors
and the trucks.
In less than an hour after the crash
the wreclting train from Highwood ar
rived at Kenosha and began "rnopping
up" Because of the high tension feed
lines overhead from which the cars
draw their power, it was impossible
to use derricks TO get the cars back
on the rails.
Huge 100-ton jacks were brought in
to play, and as the cars were raised,
the trucks were Strengthened and. false
rails built under them. They were
then lowered on these rails and drawn
Up to the solid tracks. Here "rerail-
srs" were thrown across the false rails
and the coaches slipped back on the
right of way.
Tow Cars to Highwood.
/ The only car which was able to run
On it's own power was the first coach.
The other three were hooked to an
electric locomotive and towed to the
shops where they will be given a
rebuilding before again being
to service, it was stated.
While none of the electric motors
IN the\ three damaged cars were put
out of commission, it was explained
that each car is equipped with an cleo
trie rheostat which is controlled by
compressed air. 1t was these air lines
which were broken.
This is said to be the first accident
IF any consequence which the North
Shore has suffered in the past three
years.
The dining car was the scene of the
widest confusion, It was said. 1t was
1ere that both Mrs. Mcguire and Kuip-
srs were injured. As the train left the
rails, the jolt upset diners who were
sitting in the lose chairs, sent tables,
dishes, food, etc., in a scrambled heap
On the floor.
Mrs. Mcguire Tells Story.
Mrs MavI1ire. interviewed at the Ke- !