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Re: 35th Anniversary Since the SP Roseville Railyard Explosion
Author: OPRRMS
Date: 04-29-2008 - 00:15
BOB2 Wrote:
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> Sabotage or hot box?
The most commonly accepted theory is that a smoldering fire started as a result of brake shoe sparks igniting the wooden floor of a car. However, no official cause was ever determined. Basically, the SP blamed the Navy, and the Navy blamed the SP.
Here are a couple of links for those interested in learning more about the incident.
First, the Navy's version:
[www.safetycenter.navy.mil]
And here's a link to the ICC's Accident Investigation Report:
[dotlibrary1.specialcollection.net]
To read the report (including photos), scroll down and click on "1973," then click on the first listing for Southern Pacific.
> as I recall, and no one was hurt that they know of.
Actually, a number of employees were indeed injured. For example, a Cal P train was waiting to depart Antelope (the train carrying the bombs had been yarded in the Antelope Receiving Yard) and Engineer Bill Ely was literally blown off the locomotive steps. His head brakeman, Al Wetter, was more seriously injured and never returned to work.
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> Sabotage or hot box?
The most commonly accepted theory is that a smoldering fire started as a result of brake shoe sparks igniting the wooden floor of a car. However, no official cause was ever determined. Basically, the SP blamed the Navy, and the Navy blamed the SP.
Here are a couple of links for those interested in learning more about the incident.
First, the Navy's version:
[www.safetycenter.navy.mil]
And here's a link to the ICC's Accident Investigation Report:
[dotlibrary1.specialcollection.net]
To read the report (including photos), scroll down and click on "1973," then click on the first listing for Southern Pacific.
> as I recall, and no one was hurt that they know of.
Actually, a number of employees were indeed injured. For example, a Cal P train was waiting to depart Antelope (the train carrying the bombs had been yarded in the Antelope Receiving Yard) and Engineer Bill Ely was literally blown off the locomotive steps. His head brakeman, Al Wetter, was more seriously injured and never returned to work.
