| Here is page 68 of a 96-page monograph entitled "Power To Burn: Smoke, Steam, & Cinders" that was edited by James M. Shafer and published during 1976. Photo Caption: "A PRR wreck at New Portage Junction near Wye Switches, Duncansville, involved seven locomotives. This was the first wreck in which automobiles, en route to dealers, were destroyed. It occurred Nov. 6, 1916." In an article published in a November 1966 issue of the "Altoona Mirror," it's stated that "It was 50 years ago, Nov. 6, 1916, that [this] disastrous freight wreck occurred near the Wye Switches at Duncansville. An eastbound freight train, No. 2736, went out of control descending the New Portage Branch from Gallitzin to Hollidaysburg and ran away to crash into four engines ~ Nos. 2477, 2759, 2665, and 971 ~ standing near the Wye Switches. Seven trainmen were killed in the wreck." Note the steam-powered derrick at work on the right. (For more photos of this incident, see the album entitled "PRR: Wreck at New Portage Junction ~ NOV 1916.") |