Winslow Junction Train Derailment, Atlantic City Line, New Jersey. July 2, 1922

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Washington Times July 3, 1922.

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Wikiwand // Madera Tribune

The 1922 Winslow Junction train derailment was a July 2, 1922 accident on Atlantic City Railroad's Camden to Atlantic City route. Train № 33 the Owl going 90 miles (140 km) per hour sped through an open switch at Winslow Junction. 7 were killed, 89 were injured.

Accident ~

On Atlantic City Railroad's Camden to Atlantic City Line, in Winslow, New Jersey, at Winslow Junction near the WA Tower, On July 2, 1922, shortly before 11:30pm, a derailment of train № 33, the Owl, with Philadelphia and Reading Railway Engine № 349. The train was going approximately 90 miles (140 km) per hour as it sped through an open switch. The derailment of train № 33 resulted in most of the six-car Atlantic City express plunging down an embankment into the WJ&S's southbound Cape May branch connecting track. This resulted in the death of 3 passengers, 3 employees and 1 Pullman porter, and the injury of 84 passengers and 5 employees.

Investigation ~

The Interstate Commerce Commission investigation found that the route could have been changed after the train had passed the distant signal at the plant as it was not interlocked, but there was no evidence that this had been done. The report further stated that the engineer failed to acknowledge the junction by blowing the whistle and attempt to stop the train.

From the ICC report ~

"This accident was caused by failure of Engineman Wescott of train № 33 to be governed by automatic and interlocking signal indications, which resulted in train № 33 taking the diverging route at a high rate of speed and being derailed due to the outer rail of the curve giving way."

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Madera Tribune, Volume XXX, Number 54, 3 July 1922

MANY KILLED AND INJURED IN BIG WRECK Philadelphia Reading Midnight Flyer Wrecked RELIEF TRAINS RUSH TO SCENE Signal Apparatus Is Faulty Claim of Towerman

(United Press Dispatch) WINSLOW JUNCTION, July 3. —John DeWalt, towerman, hysterically said he sent the-train into the wrong switch and wants to die. He is very feeble. He will be sent to Jail If he recovers enough strength. Miss Margaret Laughman, a telephone operator, is regarded as the herione. When she received news of the wreck she called doctors, ambulances, nurses and the fire department. It is believed she saved many lives.

WINSLOW JUNCTION, N. J., July 3.—Six were killed and 32 injured when the midnight flyer on the Philadelphia and Reading railroad Jumped a switch while making 70 miles an hour and was completely wrecked. John DeWalt, an aged towerman, blamed the faulty signal apparatus. Several others are still missing and it is feared there may be more dead. The engineer, expecting a straight track ran into a switch to a curve. Atlantic City and Camden rushed relief and trains, Red Cross, American Legion workers have organized to assist in the rescue and first aid. It is now reported nine were killed and 33 Injured. John DeWalt, age 68, the Junction towerman, has been arrested. He made no statement.