Ligonier Valley Rail Road Newspaper Articles
We have compiled over 1,400 newspaper articles that mention the Ligonier Valley Railroad, or related subjects. The articles were originally published starting in 1873 and our collection runs through 1995. Enjoy!
Ligonier Echo
Wednesday, December 17, 1902
Open Switch Caused Wreck
Ligonier Valley Passenger Collided With P.R.R. Freight
Freight Was Running Slow
A Frightful Disaster And Possibly Loss Of Life Narrowly Averted At Latrobe Station Last Thursday Evening Who Is Responsible For The Opening Of The Switch Is Not Known Both The Freight And Passenger Trains Slightly Injured
A narrow escape from what might have been a disastrous wreck occurred at the passenger station at Latrobe last Thursday evening. The Ligonier Valley railroad train backs into its place on the siding at Latrobe near the Pennsylvania railroad station. Just east of the street crossing is a switch connecting the tracks of the P.R.R. with tracks of the L.V.R.R.
Last Thursday evening the Ligonier Valley train came around the curve at its usual rate of speed, which fortunately is not a rapid one. At the same time and eastbound double-header freight on the Pennsylvania, which had stopped at the station, pulled out and had only gotten under slow headway when the above mentioned switch was reached. Conductor C. H. Kuhn and a brakeman were standing on the rear platform of the car, as the freight train neared the switch Mr. Kuhn discovered that the switch was open and immediately signaled the engineer to stop which he attempted to do by reversing the engine and throwing on the air brakes. The engineers of the freight engines saw the signals and shut off their steam. The distance, however, was too short to overcome the momentum of the heavy freight train on the steep grade at this point. The two men on the Ligonier Valley train barely made their escape before the crash came. The force of the collision was considerable as the pilot and cowcatcher of the front freight engine were torn off, while the platform of the L.V. car which had recently been repaired and newly painted, was smashed and the end considerably damaged. It, however, was not injured in
its running gear and was brought back to Ligonier that evening. Had the freight train been running at a rapid rate the entire Ligonier Valley train would evidently have been wrecked and likely several people killed. It is not known who opened the switch which is closed with a lever and usually is locked down when closed.