On Saturday August 15 , 1970 ; at 2:50 PM ,
Erie Lackawanna train # NE-97 ( New England 97 ) , departed New Haven Connecticut westward for Chicago.
The Train never made it to Illinois because it derailed at a tiny Village in NY's Southern Tier . The wreck happened in Riverside at Milepost 292 on the ex-ERIE Railroad.
Journey to the actual site and witness the damage done to the 1952 built viaduct , when 36 freight cars welded themselves together and ripped the bridge iron. Seen through ( 1994 ) video and original 1970 photograph's.
There is also an audio track made up of sound bites of local emrgency agencies , depicting just what may have happened in the wake of the derailment.
This video is an effort to preserve some of the local history of the area where I grew up at. And great effort has been put forth to make sure all statements are factual. I based my reserch on actual accounts from an eyewitness to the wreck, James P. Kosty. Kosty was 13 at the time and was doing his Corning Leader Paper Route when he saw the defective freight car thump past him, on the ground.
Kosty stated that it was more than likely Erie Lackawanna NE-97 as he spoke to the brakeman of the train & walked to the derailment site with him.
I reserched for hours to try & find ANYTHING on this train or the wreck and it was slow and minimal. I did find the info for the train and it originated in New Haven , Ct. and was routed over the High bridge at P. and into Port Jervis , NJ.
NE-97 then entered the ex- ERIE Susquehanna Division and continued westward for Binghamton , NY .
It is reported that the train came from Scranton , but I remember a conversation I had with Gang Mills YardMaster Pat Ferro who said that the train picked up cars at Binghamton.
In my therory ( until I get better info) this is the idea I went with, followed closly by what was reported in the local papers.
And please , by all means, if anyone has more details feel free to post .
I have been made aware of a mistake , the man I thought was Wesley Snyder, is actually Wesley Pym...Sorry for the mix-up.)
Other sources include My Grandfather & then - Corning Postmaster , J.W. Ross who not only hiked up to the scene , but saved the local Papers containing photo's by Frank Watts , Jim Gill & Charles Hughes. James P. Kosty also provided photo's he snapped at the scene that day.
This is also a salute to Law Enforcement and Safety personel everywhere & around the Twin Tiers who acted bravely and professionally at this situation and the constant others they face each and every day.
While I was only 3 years old when this wreck happened , I walked to the site with my mom and I remember seeing the burning twisted wreck. My Dad who worked at WCLI Radio told me what he knew.
This is my take on the events of August 15 , 1970.
Enjoy !
Music featured by ;
Badfinger
Led Zepplin
Little Richard
VAI
VanHalen
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Train Derailment 2011 in flat rock yerd!by Downriverboys1595 views
wow that was great 5 ***** stars!
saintangerinc 6 months ago
@saintangerinc Thank you. I do have at least one mess up with a persons name.... I corrected it here , but it's wrong on screen....
jackcolbypi 6 months ago