Wrecks and Wreck Outfits
Significant Railroad Wrecks and Railroad Car Ferry sinkings in or near Michigan...
This compilation included wrecks with significant fatalities or unusual conditions. Some nearby out-of-state wrecks are included. This compilation does not include hundreds of railroad employee deaths due to falling off trains or being hit by locomotives, usually in railroad yards. It also does not include thousands of pedestrian deaths by trains, usually due to intoxication or suicide.
Date | Location | Railroad | Deaths/Injuries | Notes | [Source}
1850's - 64 deaths
1851, September 5. Near Adrian, Michigan Southern & Northern Indiana. 1
1851, September 7 - at Elkhart, IN - Michigan Southern & Northern Indiana - 1
1853. April 5 - at Grand Crossing,. IL - MCRR/LSMS - 21
1859. June 28 - at Mishawaka, IN - Michigan Southern - 41 - Bridge out. Description.
1860's - 8 deaths
1860. October 19 - Near Birmingham, MI - Detroit & Milwaukee - 5 - Head on. [DFP-1860-1020]
1866. February 26 - at Denton,. MI - Michigan Central - 3 - Boiler explosion - Description.
1870's - 37 deaths
1872, August 29 - Near Owosso, MI - Michigan Central (JL&S) - 4 - Broken rail. [MCRF-1972]
1872. October 22 - East of Flint River Junction - Flint & Pere Marquette - 1/3 - Work train derailment after hitting cow. [MCRF-1872]
1873. August 28 - at Muir, MI - Detroit & Milwaukee - 4
1873. September 17 - West of Lowell, MI - Detroit & Milwaukee - 2
1874. January 17 - North of Munger, MI - Detroit & Bay City - 1 - Train hits track hand car. Description.
1874. July 18 - at Trufant station near Greenville - Detroit Lansing & Lake Michigan - 7/15 - Tree across tracks in front of gravel train. [I&L]
1879. October 10 - at Jackson, MI - Michigan Central - 18 - Wreck of Pacific Express
1880's - 16 deaths
1885. May 8 - on Grosse Ile railroad bridge - Canada Southern - 2 - Hand car goes through open draw bridge. Description.
1886. September 23 - at South Lyon, MI - Grand Trunk Western - 1/1 - Vandals remove rail. Description.
1887. Date not known - at Elmwood, MI (Iron County) - Chicago & North Western - 8-10 - Water tower falls on section crew.
1889. January 28 - at Elmwood, MI (Iron County) - Chicago & North Western - 2 - Derailment kills Michigan's Lieutenant Governor. Description.
1889. October 14 (~) - at Lansing, MI - Lansing Transit Railway - 3 - Hoist beam on wrecker breaks killing 3.
1890's - 69 deaths
1891. April 19 - at Kipton, OH - Lake Shore & Michigan Southern - 8
1893. October 13 - at Jackson, MI - Michigan Central - 24/20 - Rear end collision, disregard of danger signal. Description
1893. October 19 - at Nichols Tower in Battle Creek, MI - Grand Trunk Western - 28 - Head on collision, disregarded orders.
1894. September 8 - at Pori, MI (near Ontonagon) - Milwaukee Road - 1/1 - Forest fire derailed engine.
1897. July 8. South of Bay City, MI - Saginaw & Bay City Railway (E) - 7/3 - Interurban car ran off open drawbridge over Saginaw River. Description.
1897. December 20 - at Wilderville, MI (East of Marshall) - Detroit Toledo & Milwaukee - 1/3 - Head on collision. Disregarded train orders. Description
1900's - 176+ deaths
1900. February 19 - at Ford River, MI (west of Escanaba) - Chicago & North Western - 9/12 - Passenger train hit from behind. Description
1900. July 29 - at Milwaukee Junction (Detroit) - Detroit Grand Haven & Milwaukee - 1/10 - Buffalo Bill rodeo train backs into engine. [DFP-1900-0729]
1900. August 15. at Pierson, MI - Grand Rapids & Indiana - 6 - Caused by operator error.
1901. November 27 - at Seneca, MI - Wabash - 23 - Head on, Error in reading orders.
1902. June 8 at Black River. MI - Detroit & Mackinac - 1/30 - Passenger train derails. [DMAR-1902]
1903. April 23 - at Lenox, MI - Grand Trunk - 2/1 - Open switch. Collided with freight train in yard. Description
1903. May 4 - at Mayville, MI - Pere Marquette - 2/19 - Collision. [MCR-1904] Description
1903. May 4 - at Canfield Avenue, Detroit - Grand Trunk and Lake Shore & Michigan Southern - 7 - Read ended unscheduled train.
1903. August 7 at Durand, MI - Grand Trunk Western - 26/15 - Wallace Brothers circus train is read ended in collision.
1903. September 13 at West Bay City, MI - Michigan Central - 2/8 - Killed by dynamite explosion in car while switching. Description
1903. December 26 at E. Paris, MI - Pere Marquette - 18 - Head on, failed to follow orders.
1904. Early/unknown at Gratiot Avenue Crossing, Detroit - Detroit Grand Haven & Milwaukee and DUR interurban - Multiple fatalities - At grade crossing. [MCR-1904]
1904. Unknown at Elmdale, MI - Pere Marquette - 5 - Read end collision.
1904. May 20 at Gay. MI (near Calumet) - Mineral Range - 1 - "Cornfield meet" - [DSSS-2022-Q1]
1904. September 8 at Zeeland, MI Pere Marquette - 3 - Head on, failure to stop for orders. [DFP-1905-0909]
1905. October 25 at Elmira, MI - Boyne City Gaylord & Alpena - 2/8 - New right-of-way collapsed, train fell on workers. [DFP-1905-1022]
1907. January 28 at North Bay City, MI - Detroit & Mackinac and interurban - 1/1 - Passenger train hits Wenona Beach interurban car at crossing. [DFP-1907-0129]
1907. July 20 at Salem, MI - Pere Marquette - 30 - Employee excursion train hit head on, failure of freight train to clear main track. Worst in Michigan.
1908. February 17 at West Toledo, OH - New York Central and Toledo & Western - 8 - Trolley strikes Big Four passenger train.
1908. Unknown 1 mile north of Shultz, MI - Chicago, Kalamazoo & Saginaw - 2 - Cornfield meet because of a mix up in orders.
1908. September 14 at Chesterton, IN - Lake Shore & Michigan Southern - 1 - Read end colission at depot during foggy conditions.
1908. October 12 near Metz, MI (Rogers City) - Detroit & Mackinac - 17 - Train derailed in middle of forest fire.
1909. January 30 at Allouez, MI ( Calumet) - Mineral Range - 1/1 - Head on of 2 rock trains in blizzard.
1909. June 12 near "Saginaw" but probably Sagola - St. Paul Road - 4/0 - Extra freight strikes a log train. Misreading of orders. [BBAN-1909-0617]
1909. June 13 at West Branch, MI - Michigan Central - 1/2 - Train strikes section handcar.
1909. October 5 at Carpenters, MI (Lapeer) - Michigan Central - 2 - Head on. See Note 7.
1910's - 191 deaths
1910. Unknown - at Holland, OH - Lake Shore & Michigan Southern - 1 - Read ended freight
1910. June 2 - at Chase, MI (Lake County) - Pere Marquette - 1/1 - Derailed train hit by another. Link.
1910. September 9 - Off Sheboygan, WI - Pere Marquette - 30 - Sinking of railroad car ferry.
1910. September 19 - at St. Joseph, MI - Pere Marquette - 1 - due to derailment.
1910. July 12 - at Ortonville, MI - Interurban railroad - 1/62 - Interurban car collides with work train. Link
1910. October 10 at Dollar Bay - Mineral Range - 1/1 - Engine hit an open switch and did a complete somersault. Fireman scalded to death. Engineer seriously injured. [DET-1910-1010]
1911. January 17 at Grand Rapids, MI - Brake failure - 1/1 - Run away train. Desccription
1911. January 31 near Houghton, MI - Copper Range - 1/5 - Head on between freight and ore train on curve near Michigan Smelter.
1911. July 3 - at Mills Switch, MI - DUR Interurban - 1/44 - Head on collision. ICC Report [PDF]
1911. July 30 - at Dearborn. MI - DUR Interurban - 1/20 - Head on collision. ICC Report [PDF]
1911. October 7 at Young's Crossing, Detroit, MI - DUR Interurban - 2/12 - Head on collision. ICC Report [PDF]
1911. October 15 at Volney Smith Crossing, Detroit, MI - DUR Interurban - 1/3 - Rear end colission. ICC Report [PDF]
1911. October 19 at Rougemere Yard ( Dearborn) - Pere Marquette - 1/8 - Head on collision. ICC Report [PDF]
1912. April 15 at Dexter. MI - Detroit Jackson & Chicago (E) - 2/30 - Head on between two interurban cars. ICC Report [PDF]
1913. January 2. 3 miles west of Delray,. MI - Wabash - 3/0 - Derailment broken rail. ICC Report [PDF]
1913. January 16 at New Haven, MI - Grand Trunk Western - 2/24 - Head on. ICC Report [PDF]
1913. February 23 at Republic, MI - Milwaukee Road - 1 - Broken rail. See Note 6.
1913. March 10 at Okemos, MI - Pere Marquette - 2 - Derailment due to loose tire on engine. ICC Report [PDF]
1913. June 6 at Waterville, MI - DUR Interurban - 2/3 - Head on. . ICC Report [PDF]
1913. June 15 at Francisco, MI (near Chelsea) - Michigan Central - 2/1 - Unknown derailment. ICC Report [PDF]
1913. June 18 at North Yard, Kalamazoo, MI - Lake Shore & Michigan Southern - 2/26 - Head on. ICC Report [PDF]
1913. July 13 at MAL Crossing at Jackson, MI - Michigan Central - 2/44 - Head on collision. ICC Report [PDF]
1914. January 25 at MAL Crossing at Jackson, MI - Michigan Central - 3/13 - Head on collision. . ICC Report [PDF]
1914. February 6 at Foster's MI - Grand Trunk Western - 3/3 - Head on. ICC Report [PDF]
1914. July 14 at Michigan Center, MI - Detroit Jackson & Chicago interurban - 2/15 - Head on collision between two interurban cars. ICC Report [PDF]
1915. April 15 at Detroit, MI - Detroit Street Railway (E) - 15 - Collided with a DT&I train at W. Jefferson Avenue. [NYT-1915-0415]
1918. April 27 at Clarion, MI - Grand Rapids & Indiana - 1 - Derailment. Click Here.
1916. September 8 at Rives Junction (north of Jackson) - Michigan Railway (E) - 2/12 - Head on. ICC Report [PDF]
1917. March 21 at Waterloo, IN - New York Central - 1/19 - Derailment of trains. . ICC Report [PDF]
1917. June 9 at St. Clair, MI - Rapid Railway (E) - 4/27 - Head on collision. ICC Report [PDF]
1917. June 20 at Melvin, MI - Pere Marquette - 2/1 - Derailment. . ICC Report [PDF]
1917. July 4 at Orchard Breach Crossing, Manistee - Manistee & Northeastern and Interurban - 3/20 - Side collision at crossing. ICC Report [PDF]
1917. August 30 at Britton, MI - Wabash - 2/0 - Derailment. ICC Report [PDF]
1917. September 20 at Riverside, MI (Benton Harbor) - Pere Marquette - 1/19 - Head on collision. ICC Report [PDF]
1918. February 15 at Manistique, MI - Soo Line - 3/0 - Yard workers struck by switch engine in blizzard. [PHTH-1918-0215]
1918. June 22 at Ivanhoe, IN - Michigan Central - 68 - Circus train.
1918. July 20 at Chelsea, MI - Detroit Jackson & Chicago (E) - 15/80 - Head on between passenger and interurban freight. ICC Report [PDF]
1918. November 23 at Dexter, MI - Michigan Central - 3/2 - Head on collision. ICC Report [PDF]
1919. February 25 at Oakwood, MI - DUR Interurban - 4/44 - Head on collision. ICC Report [PDF]
1919. February 26 two miles south of Cadillac,. MI - Grand Rapids & Indiana - 2/23 - Head on collision. ICC Report [PDF]
1919. August 20 at Beitner, MI, 4 miles south of Traverse City - Pere Marquette - 6/27 - Head on collision. ICC Report [PDF]
1919. December 21 at Francisco, MI - DUR Interurban - 1/2 - Read end collision. ICC Report [PDF]
1920's - 105 deaths
1920. March 5 at Clarendon, MI - Michigan Central - 1/6 - Derailment due to broken rail. ICC Report [PDF]
1920. September 1 at New Boston, MI - Pennsylvania/ Pere Marquette - 1/3 - Rear end collision. ICC Report [PDF]
1920. September 24 at Ortonville, MI - DUR Interurban - 4/12 - Rear end collision. ICC Report [PDF]
1921. February 23 at Ashley, MI - Grand Trunk Western - 2/1 - Derailment, bad engine truck. ICC Report [PDF]
1921. February 27 at Porter, IN - Michigan Central and Lake Shore & Michigan Southern - 37/20 - MC train disregarded stop signal at interlocking, striking other train. Description. ICC Report [PDF]
1921. May 7 at Elkhart Yard, IN - New York Central - 2 - Collision in yard. . ICC Report [PDF]
1921. June 18 at Warsaw, MI (east of Ann Arbor) - DJ&C Interurban - 5/21 - Rear end collision. ICC Report [PDF]
1923. January 11 at McDonald, MI - Pere Marquette - 1 - Read end collision. ICC Report [PDF]
1923. January 13 at Alexis, OH (north of Toledo) - Pere Marquette - 2/4 - Read end collision. ICC Report [PDF]
1923. May 8 at Vinewood Avenue, Detroit, MI - New York Central - 1/1 - Collision on freight track. ICC Report [PDF]
1923. June 12 at Grayling, MI - New York Central - 3/0 - Side collision with 2nd train. ICC Report [PDF]
1923. July 5 at Durand, MI - Grand Trunk Western - 5/0 - Due to derailment.
1923. August 28 at Edmore, near Marine City, MI - DUR Rapid Railway Interurban - 1/15 - Head on collision at meeting point. ICC Report [PDF]
1924. January 25 at Waterloo, IN - New York Central - 1/10 - Read ended train. ICC Report [PDF]
1924. February 10 at Kingsley, MI south of Traverse City - Pennsylvania - 2/1 - Snow plow derailment. ICC Report
1924. September 24 at Botsford Yard, Kalamazoo, MI - Michigan Central - 1 - Train strikes automobile. ICC Report [PDF]
1924. December 3 at Wyandotte, MI - DUR Interurban - 5/10 - Collided with automobile. ICC Report [PDF]
1925. January 6 at Bakertown, MI (Berrien County) - Michigan Central - 1/0 - Read end collision. ICC Report [PDF]
1925. February 23 at Oakwood, MI (Melvindale) - Wabash - 2/2 - Head on collision. Runaway train. ICC Report [PDF]
1925. April 19 at Sunny, MI (south of Flint) - DUR Interurban - 1/16 - Head on collision. ICC Report [PDF]
1925. July 29 at Lake George, MI - Ann Arbor Railroad - 1 - Head on collision. ICC Report [PDF]
1926. September 2 at Monroe, MI - Detroit Monroe & Toledo Short Line Interurban - 10/36 - Head on collision ICC Report [PDF]
1926. October 7 at Gibson, IN - Michigan Central/ New York Central - 4/1 - Railroad motor car vs. train. ICC Report [PDF]
1926. November 4 at Goodison, MI - Michigan Central - 1/36 - Head on collision. ICC Report [PDF]
1927. September 18 at Carpenter, MI - Michigan Central - 1/3 - Head on collision. ICC Report [PDF]
1928. March 11 at Austin, MI (near Detroit) - DJC / DUR Interurbans - 1/25 - Head on collision. ICC Report [PDF]
1928. July 8 at Flushing, MI - Grand Trunk Western - 0/16 - Circus train derailed on bad track. ICC Report [PDF]
1929. January 16 at Fenwick, MI - Pere Marquette - 2/1 - Derailment due to poor track. ICC Report [PDF]
1929. April 16 at Stanley, OH - New York Central - 1 - Collision in yard. ICC Report [PDF]
1929. May 14 at Dowagiac, MI - Michigan Central - 1/4 - Train vs. truck at crossing. ICC Report [PDF]
1929. May 28 at Glen Lord, MI (south of Benton Harbor) - Pere Marquette - 1/1 - Accident due to bad switch. ICC Report [PDF]
1929. June 2 at Ortonville - Eastern Michigan railway Interurban - 0/61 - Passenger train collison with freight train. ICC Report [PDF]
1929. June 18 at Monroe, MI - Grand Trunk Western ( DTSL) - 2/1 - Train rear ended. ICC Report [PDF]
1929. July 4 at Pomona, MI - Ann Arbor railroad - 2 - Wash out. ICC Report [PDF]
More....
|
September 27, 1930 |
Petoskey, MI |
Pere Marquette |
2 (6) |
Head on collision. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
September 28, 1930 |
Between North Yard & Utica, MI |
Michigan Central |
2 (1) |
Derailment, switch. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
September 30, 1932 |
Plymouth, MI |
Pere Marquette |
0 (6) |
Side collision. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
May 3, 1937 |
Between Muir and Ionia, MI |
Grand Trunk Western |
1 (7) |
Pass train derailed, bad track. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
May 18, 1939 |
McBain, MI |
Ann Arbor Railroad |
1 |
Train vs. Gasoline tanker truck. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
October 22, 1929 |
Lake Michigan |
Grand Trunk Western |
42 |
RR Car ferry sank. Worst. |
|
February 2, 1930 |
Ann Pere, MI |
Pere Marquette |
0 (3) |
Derailment, speeding train. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
February 19, 1930 |
Toledo, OH W/ "K" Tower |
Toledo Terminal / PRR |
1 (1) |
Rear end collision. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
May 28, 1930 |
Belsay, MI e/of Flint, MI |
Grand Trunk Western |
2 (12) |
Derailment, open switch. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
July 25, 1930 |
McGrew Jct, Flint, MI |
Pere Marquette |
1 |
Side collision in yard. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
February 7, 1931 |
Nichols Yard, Battle Creek, MI |
Grand Trunk Western |
0 (8) |
Switch opened in front of train. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
March 6, 1931 |
Town Line, Dearborn MI |
Michigan Central |
0 (3) |
Switch opened in front of train. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
March 19, 1931 |
West Detroit, MI |
Michigan Central |
0 (40) |
Head on, pass & freight. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
September 25,1931 |
Edmore, MI |
Pere Marquette |
2 (6) |
Derailment, speed on wye. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
January 27, 1932 |
Elkhart, IN |
NYC / Big Four |
0 (13) |
Rear end. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
September 28, 1933 |
Fenton, MI |
Grand Trunk Western |
1 (1) |
Head on w/switch engines. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
February 2, 1934 |
Iron Mountain, MI |
Milwaukee Road |
0 (6) |
Pass train derailed, broken rail. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
August 10, 1934 |
Vermontville, MI |
Michigan Central |
5 (8) |
Train/automobile collision. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
August 3,, 1935 |
Riverdale, MI 4 Mi W/Elwell |
Pere Marquette |
0 (5) |
Head on collision. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
July 5, 1936 |
Wayne Jct. MI |
Michigan Central |
1 (5) |
Rear end in siding. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
July 9, 1936 |
Riga, MI |
New York Central |
1 (1) |
Train vs. Road grader. ICC Report [PDF] |
| July 18, 1936 | Dundee, MI | Ann Arbor | 9 | Car hit by train, pushed into Raisin River bridge. 2 famlies killed. |
|
September 30, 1936 |
Urania, MI |
Ann Arbor Railroad |
0 (13) |
Head on collision. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
January 3, 1937 |
Adrian, MI |
Wabash |
3 |
Locomotive exploded. [SEN-1937-0104] |
|
March 7, 1937 |
MichiganCity, IN |
Pere Marquette |
0 (5) |
Derailment, kinked track. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
June 9, 1937 |
Lansing, MI at depot |
Grand Trunk Western |
0 |
Derailment, brake rigging. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
September 12, 1937 |
Vulcan, OH (N/Nasby Tower) |
TA&W / Toledo & IN Ry |
3 (9) |
Side collision at interlocking. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
December 17, 1937 |
Beech, MI |
Pere Marquette |
0 (34) |
Derailment, spread track. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
February 13, 1938 |
4 miles N of Monroe, MI |
Michigan Central |
0 (14) |
Rear end collision, 2 pass. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
March 30, 1939 |
Michigamme, MI |
Duluth South Shore & Atlantic RR |
2 |
Derailment from landslide. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
December 2, 1939 |
Kalamazoo, MI |
Grand Trunk Western |
1 (2) |
Train vs. automobile. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
June 12, 1940 |
Bessemer, MI |
Chicago & Northwestern |
1 (5) |
Head on collision. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
May 22, 1941 |
Z Tower, Toledo, OH |
New York Central |
0 (30) |
Collision w/freight. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
October 7, 1941 |
Sault St. Marie |
Canadian Pacific? |
2 |
Bascule bridge collapse. |
|
January 13, 1942 |
2 miles S of Mullet Lake, MI |
Michigan Central |
1 |
Derailment, broken rail. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
August 23, 1942 |
Green Oak, MI W/South Lyon |
Pere Marquette |
3 (23) |
Pass train hit automobile. ICC Report [PDF] |
| October 28, 1942 | Hamtramck, Caniff & GTW | Grand Trunk Western | 16 (27) | DSR bus struck by GTW passenger train. [DFP] |
|
October 30, 1942 |
Durand, MI (West of) |
Grand Trunk Western |
1 (25) |
Pass train hit freight cars. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
August 19, 1943 |
Hughart, MI |
Michigan Central |
1 (1) |
Derailed, stone on rails. ICC Report [PDF] |
| November 13, 1943 | Snowshoe curve near Gay, MI | Copper Range | 1/2 | Collision of 2 section cars. [SHP-1943-1113] |
|
March 16, 1944 |
Wyandotte, MI |
Detroit Toledo & Ironton |
1 |
Head on collision. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
December 28, 1944 |
Sibley, MI |
Michigan Central |
2 (25) |
Train vs. car accident. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
June 30, 1945 |
Eaton Rapids, mI |
Michigan Central |
2 (6) |
Head on collision. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
December 7, 1945 |
Smith's Creek, MI |
Grand Trunk Western |
0 (3) |
Read end collision. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
July 22, 1946 |
Fort Custer Yard, MI |
Michigan Central |
3 (3) |
Head on in yard. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
May 2, 1947 |
Dean Yard, Midland, MI |
Pere Marquette |
0 (3) |
Rear end, in yard limits. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
January 18, 1948 |
6 Miles w/Of Battle Creek, MI |
Grand Trunk Western |
3 (1) |
Derailment, broken journal. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
June 26, 1948 |
West Unity, OH |
NYC / Wabash |
1 (7) |
Side collision at interlocking. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
January 3, 1949 |
Rock, MI |
Chicago & Northwestern |
1 (15) |
Derailment, bad wheel. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
October 27, 1949 |
2 miles N of Richland Junction MI |
Michigan Central |
2 (1) |
Derailment, bad track. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
August 26, 1950 |
4 Miles N/Elmira, MI |
Pennsylvania RR |
0 (14) |
Rear end collision. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
November 26, 1950 |
Andersonville, MI |
Grand Trunk Western |
1 (9) |
Rear end, freight/pass. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
March 14, 1951 |
Penford, MI |
PRR / DT&I |
0 (3) |
Side collision at interlocking. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
March 15, 1951 |
Trenton, MI |
New York Central |
3 (17) |
Psgr derailment, broken rail. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
August 28, 1951 |
Nottawa, MI |
Pennsylvania RR |
0 (6) |
Psgr derailment, broken rail. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
December 14, 1951 |
L'Anse, MI |
Duluth South Shore & Atlantic RR |
2 (2) |
Derailment, out of control. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
June 3, 1952 |
1 mile W of Elkhart, IN |
New York Central |
2 (7) |
Broken wheel on motor car. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
June 29, 1952 |
East of Linden, MI |
Grand Trunk Western |
0 (6) |
Head on between 2 freights. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
September 26, 1952 |
East of Burton, MI |
Grand Trunk Western |
2 (5) |
Passenger train too fast in turnout, derailed and hit 2nd pass. train. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
October 3, 1952 |
Onota, MI |
Duluth South Shore & Atlantic RR |
1 (5) |
Motor car vs. train. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
September 14, 1953 |
MAL Crossing, n/of Jackson, MI |
GTW / NYC |
1 |
Train vs. RR motor car. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
November 18, 1955 |
Newport, MI |
New York Central |
9 (3) |
Train vs. truck. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
November 16, 1957 |
1 mile W of White Pigeon, MI |
New York Central |
1 (32) |
Psgr train derailed, excess speed. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
June 10, 1967 |
Thompsonville, MI |
Chesapeake & Ohio |
4 (28) |
Train vs. truck. ICC Report [PDF] |
| October 7, 1980 | Larch, MI - Soo Line - Tamper strikes track car - 1/0 [PNR-1980-1007] | |||
|
July 22, 1989 |
Freeland, MI |
CSX |
0 (15) |
Derail, hazmat, 1,000 evacuated. ICC Report [PDF] |
|
November 15, 2001 |
Andersonville, MI |
CN |
3 |
2 freights, 1 in siding |
Other Notable Disasters in Michigan
Date |
Location |
Railroad |
Problem |
| March 4, 1889 | Windsor, ON | Grand Trunk Western | Car ferry "Transit I" was destroyed by fire. |
| April 17, 1905 | Durand, MI | Grand Trunk Western | Depot nearly destroyed by fire. |
| November 12, 1906 | Detroit, MI | Michigan Central Railroad | Third Street Station burns. |
| May 29, 1909 | Manistique, MI | Ann Arbor Railroad | Car ferry #4 capsizes |
| March 8, 1910 | Manitowoc, MI | Ann Arbor Railroad | Car ferry #1 burns |
| February 1, 1968 | Michigan | New York Central System | Penn Central formed, declared bankrupt in June, 1970 |
Wreck Outfits
Railroads in history operated wreck "outfits", usually special trains which were kept in terminals under steam, ready to head out to derailments and other disasters. Crews for these trains were usually men selected from maintenance right-of-way crews and roundhouse crews. Each wrecking outfit contained a large powered derrick as its main tool. Sometimes, railroads borrowed wreck outfits from other railroads, if they didn't have their own close by wreck outfit or in large derailments requiring more than one crane. In addition to picking up and removing locomotives and railroad cars, the wreck outfit also built temporary tracks to open the road as quickly as possible. Flat cars on the wreck outfits brought new ties, rail, and tempoary wheelsets for cars that needed to return to the shops for repair.
| Railroad | Base Location | Notes |
| C&NW | Green Bay, WI - 150 ton | In 1958. Sent to Naults. |
| C&NW | Ashland, WI | Wreck crew. (1956) Sent to Marinesco. |
| C&NW | Escanaba - 100 ton | As of 1953, likely earlier. |
| DSS&A | Marquette | Road wreck crew (1957). Sent to Thomaston. |
| DT&I | Ford Rouge | Road wreck crew. |
| LS&I | Marquette | |
| Michigan Central | Detroit - Livernois Yard | Tunnel wrecker - Note 1 |
| Michigan Central | Detroit - Livernois Yard | Road wreck crew. |
| Pere Marquette | Detroit | Road wreck crew 1907 |
| Pere Marquette | Grand Rapids | Road wreck crew 1907 |
| Pere Marquette | Saginaw yard | Road wreck crew 1907 |
| Soo Line | Gladstone | X-3. Preserved. |
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Note 1 - The Michigan Central maintained a special wreck crew for the Detroit-Windsor International railroad tunnel. The Industrial Brownhoist derrick could be operated by steam or third rail electricity in the tunnel and the approaches to the tunnel. This derrick remains operational and is located at Greenfield Village at the Henry Ford. Note 2. Lieutenant Governor James H. McDonald and two others were killed on the C&NW line near Elmwood, MI when the truck under the last car broke and derailed the car. While in motion, the car tipped on its side, then struck two different stumps tearing the car to pieces. McDonald, who was playing cards at the time, died instantly. He was brought back to his home in Escanaba for burial. [Livingston Argus, 1990-0124] Note 3. C&NW passenger train No. 21 known as the Felch Mountain accommodation, which runs between Metropolitan and Escanaba, was wrecked in a read-end collision at Ford River switch at 6:30 Thursday night. Nine persons were killed, three are missing, five seriously and four slightly injured. The dead included the baggageman, brakeman, and passengers. The Metropolitan train had stopped at the switch to take a passenger on. Owing to heavy snow or the dense smoke from charcoal kilns, about 100 feet from the track, the rear end of the train was enveloped in smoke and prevented the crew of the incoming freight, No. 289 (Green Bay to Ishpeming) which was running on special time orders, from seeing the red lights on the rear of the accommodation. With the exception of two people, the bodies of those killed were burned in the wreck. Injured were taken to the nearby Sears Brothers' store while train crews fought desperately, assisted by the uninjured passengers, to gain control of the fire which threatened the destruction of the wreck before all the injured could be removed. The scene at the wreck was an appalling one. Scores of people from surrounding towns drove to the scene to learn if any of their friends were on board the ill-fated train. [LAS=1900-0217][SJH-1900-0217] Note 4. MCRR. One of the most terrible railroad accidents that has ever occurred in the history of railroad fatalities took place here this morning, whereby twelve persons were killed and a good many more or less seriously injured. It was another of those awful rear-end collisions of which Michigan is getting its full share and which reflect so seriously upon the system of handling trains while there is a rush of traffic. An excursion train left Watertown, N.Y. in two sections. The first section reached Jackson at about 9 o'clock this morning and stood on the main track to give passengers bound for the White City on pleasure bent the opportunity to eat breakfast in the depot lunch-room. The male passengers made the customary rush for the counter while many ladies remained in the coaches, which accounts for the fact that more women were killed and injured than men. The second section came tearing through the yards and rushed into the stationary train. 'The fireman jumped, but the engineer, with death staring him in the face, stood his post when death seemed imminent. When the locomotive crashed into the first train, a series of cries that froze my blood filled the air. [DFP-1892-1014] Note 5. A disaster was averted but the engineer was killed. PM train No. 7 approached Grand Rapids Union Station when its brakes failed. The engineer through the reverse lever to try to slow down the train, which was travelling through the yards at 70 mph. Approaching Wealthy Avenue, the train jumped the tracks. The engineer and fireman jumped, killing the engineer and injuring the fireman. The 100 passengers on board were not injured. [SJDP-1911-0117] Note 6. CM&StP passenger train No. 2 derailed on a broken rail at 8 mph as it was approaching the depot at milepost 9.3 at Republic. All cars derailed except for the last Pullman car. The conductor was in the baggage car, probably preparing space for baggage to be loaded onboard at the Republic station, when he got crushed to death between a heavy safe that had moved when the car rolled to the side. He was the only person killed in the wreck. For more information, go to the Diamond Drill newspaper from March 1, 1913. Info from James Harlow: https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/Icon/sn96076817/1913-03-01/ed-1/seq-1/ Note 7. Two trains collided head-on near Carpenters, MI. They intended to meet at Lapeer but one was operating slower than expected. Apparently the southbound freight train was not making the time, or the northbound freight was making better time, than was originally anticipated by the train dispatcher when he first fixed the meet between the two trains at Lapeer. With this being the situation, the train train dispatcher decided to move the meet between the two trains farther north to advance the northbound freight train against the southbound freight train. Both freight trains would have received a train order to change the meet -- at Lapeer or at a train order station farther south for the northbound train, and the southbound train at Otter Lake station or a station farther north, to "meet extra [eng no.] north at Carpenter instead of Lapeer". The change of meet order would have been issued in the exact same language to each train. For reasons unknown, the engineer of the southbound freight did not fulfill his changed train order instructions to meet the northward extra freight train at Carpenter instead of Lapeer, and as the northbound extra freight train arrived at Carpenter for the meet, the southbound extra freight train collided with the northbound extra freight train, killing both engineers. Carpenter station was 5.16 north of Lapeer. |
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