The wreck of Old 97 occurred, on September 27th 1903 (106 years ago this Sunday), when the engineer, Joseph A. ("Steve") Broadey, at the controls of engine number 1102, was operating the train at high speed in order to stay on schedule and arrive at Spencer on time.
Engineer Broadey and two firemen boarded the train at Washington, farther up the line from Spencer, the second fireman being assigned to assist in maintaining the steam pressure at its maximum so the train would not lose too much speed on ascending grades.
The train was substantially behind schedule upon leaving Washington and was one hour late upon arriving at Monroe.
At Monroe, Broadey was instructed to get the Fast Mail to Spencer, 166 miles distant, on time.
The scheduled running time from Monroe to Spencer was four hours, fifteen minutes, an average speed of approximately 39 mph, so in order to make up the one hour delay, the train's average speed would have to be at least 51 mph.
The route between Monroe and Spencer was rolling terrain and there were numerous danger points due to the combination of grades and tight radius curves, and signs were posted to warn engineers to watch their speed, however, in his quest to stay on time, engineer Broadey rapidly descended a heavy grade that ended at the 75-foot high Stillhouse Trestle, which spanned Cherrystone Creek.
He was unable to sufficiently reduce speed as he approached the curve leading into the trestle, causing the entire train to derail and plunge into the ravine below.
Nine people were killed, including the locomotive crew and a number of clerks in the mail car coupled between the tender and the rest of the train.
The Southern Railway placed blame for the wreck on engineer Broadey, disavowing that he had been ordered run as fast as possible to maintain the schedule.
The railroad also claimed he descended the grade leading to Stillhouse Trestle at a speed of more than 70 mph.
In all likelihood, the railroad was at least partially to blame, as they had a lucrative contract with the U.S. Post Office to haul mail (hence the train's name), the contract including a penalty clause for each minute the train was late into Spencer.
It is probably safe to conclude that the engineers piloting the Fast Mail were always under pressure to stay on time so the railroad would not be penalized for late mail delivery.
This version of the famous railroad ballad was recorded by Hank Williams III (Hank III) who happens to be on my Facebook friends list, so if you enjoyed it, please go out and buy the recording, so he doesn't sue me, or make me delete this video!
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danm that is wway to slow
go listen to johnny cash's version
trevortriforesti 1 day ago
An unforgettable story about the great time of the railroad heroes - simply great!
softie461 1 month ago
1:55 & on , is that a harmonica ?
MATTHEWTHEINGRAM 1 month ago
hell i didnt know hank did this song hell yea great version of it
bigdaddybutch4 2 months ago
@Theaceofspadez1 I can almost hit the Monroe Train station with a rock from where I work.
jwright650 3 months ago
@ibjsk This version is amazing . That's not opinion . thats fact . Get a life inbred . Hank III for life
MATTHEWTHEINGRAM 3 months ago
tHANK you Dan!!! you made my day by uploading this tribute from the son of the son to Johnny Cash...tHANK you very much....you are a hero in my ears!
ojaioan 6 months ago
oh dear, what a way to go O_O
MrBuckwilliam 8 months ago
One of the best (blue grass ?) country music voices - like it !! But J.Cash's or
BC Willie's versions are a pleasure, too !
softie461 9 months ago
ok you got me there
Theaceofspadez1 1 year ago