Casey Jones deserves credit for getting his train back on time. He was only 2 minutes behind schedule as his train approached the siding at Vaughn. He also deserves credit for managing to slow his train enough that no one else died in the wreck. That being said, Jones knew that he was approaching a meet, and there were actually 5 trains in the vicinity that he had to thread carefully through. Not sure if he knew there were 2 trains on the main siding, but I don't think that matters; he should have slowed to about 30 or 35 mph, especially since he knew he was approaching a blind curve. Had he done so, he might have been able to stop before plowing into the caboose of the train that still had 3 or 4 cars on the main line. Yes, his on-time record might have been jeopardized, but he would presumably have survived. So, he was negligent in that respect. My understanding is that he was found outside the cab with an iron bolt through his neck.
I had read that Illinois Central "encouraged" its passenger train drivers to stay on time; Rules of the Road were "flexible". Perhaps IC should have emphasized the drivers to "stay on track"?
I think that back then, it was the era of "Make up time at all costs", particularly where passenger trains were involved. Casey's train, colloquially known as the "Cannonball Express", was Illinois Central's premier passenger train; it was most likely unthinkable for a train of that status to be late. It is very possible that the train was carrying mail and express packages, and the Post Office financially punished railroads if the mails were late. That could very well be a big reason why Casey was told to make up time and why all other trains were sidetracked for him.
Something no-one seems to pick up (Not even Trains Magazine, in their centenary coverage of the wreck) struck me watching your film - Casey and Sim had already worked a long shift, and were then asked to work another. Hours regs meant nothing back then, did they? Both men would be physically tired and, possibly not as alert as the should have been. That could explain missing the warnings, but for both of them to have dropped off? Perhaps more significantly, Sim Webb, who lived into the 1960's was black; the freight train crew were white men, in the Mississippi of 1900, and it was four or five to one. Enough said? I believe Sim didn't begin telling his version of the story until the 1930's, perhaps when he knew the men were dead, and he was safe from reprisals. (Personally speaking, this seems very believable to me.) One other little historic snippet - you feature a stamp issued with No 382 on it. There was an odd printing error on some of these stamps - the printing block came loose during the run, and ol' 382 appears to move across the face of the stamp - at one time sets showing its journey were quite collectable.
Well Sim always stood by Mrs. Jones so when the company tried to blame it all on Casey, He played back up to Mrs. Jones who was pointing the blame on the railroad company. So no... Sim didn't stay silent about it at all for any amount of time other than the short period where everyone was Morning Casey and the railroad hadn't tried gaslighting the fallen hero yet.
Considering Casey was the only fatality in this otherwise catastrophe speaks to his professionalism and dedication to his job. When I hear this much discrepancy in the “final report” just how much meddling, and coercion was used by upper management. After all they wouldn’t want any responsibility to fall on them. How much pressure was placed on Casey by the dispatcher to get to ……. “on time”?
Casey Jones deserves credit for getting his train back on time. He was only 2 minutes behind schedule as his train approached the siding at Vaughn. He also deserves credit for managing to slow his train enough that no one else died in the wreck. That being said, Jones knew that he was approaching a meet, and there were actually 5 trains in the vicinity that he had to thread carefully through. Not sure if he knew there were 2 trains on the main siding, but I don't think that matters; he should have slowed to about 30 or 35 mph, especially since he knew he was approaching a blind curve. Had he done so, he might have been able to stop before plowing into the caboose of the train that still had 3 or 4 cars on the main line. Yes, his on-time record might have been jeopardized, but he would presumably have survived. So, he was negligent in that respect. My understanding is that he was found outside the cab with an iron bolt through his neck.
Casey Jones was an awesome enginneer
Loving the Illinois Central content! Another excellent presentation.
I had read that Illinois Central "encouraged" its passenger train drivers to stay on time; Rules of the Road were "flexible". Perhaps IC should have emphasized the drivers to "stay on track"?
I think that back then, it was the era of "Make up time at all costs", particularly where passenger trains were involved. Casey's train, colloquially known as the "Cannonball Express", was Illinois Central's premier passenger train; it was most likely unthinkable for a train of that status to be late. It is very possible that the train was carrying mail and express packages, and the Post Office financially punished railroads if the mails were late. That could very well be a big reason why Casey was told to make up time and why all other trains were sidetracked for him.
I rode on a hi-rail inspection trip northbound through Vaughn, MS, and have a photo of the sign.
Something no-one seems to pick up (Not even Trains Magazine, in their centenary coverage of the wreck) struck me watching your film - Casey and Sim had already worked a long shift, and were then asked to work another. Hours regs meant nothing back then, did they? Both men would be physically tired and, possibly not as alert as the should have been. That could explain missing the warnings, but for both of them to have dropped off?
Perhaps more significantly, Sim Webb, who lived into the 1960's was black; the freight train crew were white men, in the Mississippi of 1900, and it was four or five to one. Enough said? I believe Sim didn't begin telling his version of the story until the 1930's, perhaps when he knew the men were dead, and he was safe from reprisals. (Personally speaking, this seems very believable to me.)
One other little historic snippet - you feature a stamp issued with No 382 on it. There was an odd printing error on some of these stamps - the printing block came loose during the run, and ol' 382 appears to move across the face of the stamp - at one time sets showing its journey were quite collectable.
Well Sim always stood by Mrs. Jones so when the company tried to blame it all on Casey, He played back up to Mrs. Jones who was pointing the blame on the railroad company. So no... Sim didn't stay silent about it at all for any amount of time other than the short period where everyone was Morning Casey and the railroad hadn't tried gaslighting the fallen hero yet.
I'm not sure when the federal law regulating hours of service was passed, so, yes, there might have been no maximum hours of service at that time.
@@ericemmons3040it was either the ICC act of 1920 or 1934. either way it was after WW1 and before WW2
Considering Casey was the only fatality in this otherwise catastrophe speaks to his professionalism and dedication to his job. When I hear this much discrepancy in the “final report” just how much meddling, and coercion was used by upper management. After all they wouldn’t want any responsibility to fall on them. How much pressure was placed on Casey by the dispatcher to get to ……. “on time”?
Fun fact, I lived in Canton mississippi just south of Vaughan
That's cool! And thank you again.. Most awesome of you!