Re: C&S Cab Curtains. Part 2 Wreck of #75

Posted by Chris Walker on
URL: http://c-sng-discussion-forum.254.s1.nabble.com/C-S-Cab-Curtains-Part-2-Modern-Style-Inside-hung-Curtains-with-Top-Roll-tp1181p1482.html

Mike,

I've given this some thought as to what you're asking, i.e. did the late-style curtains trap the Engineer, and prevent him from getting out?   First I asked two retired Steam Enginedrivers here what they thought, basically they were in agreement that if the curtain is secured to the tank waterleg in the same manner visible on the Fireman's side and there is no reason to think otherwise; that the curtain is closed off between the Engineer's cabdoor and the Firebox; and the Loco rolls over to the righthandside, then yes.    
After showing them the various photo's of the cab arrangement, the wreck and the written account in Klinger's Highline Memories book, apart from being appalled at the cab narrowness, where the Brakevalves sit and the bi-fold arrangement of the cab reardoor which would also hamper any unplanned exit, they kind of agreed that there were a number of other factors to consider.

There was a blizzard, two locos coupled running light down a very steep grade, the fatality was on the second Loco, and the time was in the early AM hours, the run commenced at 11AM the day before.  Just how alert would a man be in those conditions, he wasn't driving, been out for a long time, kinda sleepy.  Was he a big man or short, fat or skinny, given the tightness of those cabs, would also be a factor.  Most likely swaddled in thick clothes to boot, one side frozen and the otherside sweating.   Not only that but all of a sudden the Loco lurches, I'm sure there were plenty of lurches in the C&S track that may have been hard to differentiate from a normal lurch to the "Oh ****" lurch.   Can you imagine how hard that frozen canvas curtain would be, retainer Tees frozen into those slots?  Disorientated in the darkness, Loco tipping over, force throwing you backwards. He had to have got off of the seatbox first.
That lightly-built cab won't be of any roll-over protection either, the photo's attest to that, our Dieselcabs folded up like cardboard.

I also showed this stuff to the only guy I know who went in the ditch in a Diesel, he recalled that it was extremely dicey with the way the loco dropped in that he was so "paralysed by the big surprise", those being his actual words.

We bet that Mr Williamson never stood a chance at getting out.