Antelope
Antelope is a siding between Floka and Jungo. On April 29, 1912, the boiler of WPRR Engine 49 exploded and claimed three lives. It was determined that the quality of the water at Trego was the cause.[1][2][3]
The 1914-1915 WPRR Descriptive Time Table for west-bound traffic states: "Antelope, elevation 4,507 feet, is at the top of the easy pass. During the descent the Sawtooth Mountains appear on the left; on the right, in a slope of a hill, is the tunnel of the Cannonball mine. Beyond mile-post 477 and at the left of the track stands the monolith outcrop of the Irish sphinx, presenting the perfect profile of an Irish gentleman in stock and cravat. A brilliant patch of mineral paint is disclosed, against the hills to the right, adjacent to prospect holes and dumps. Copper, silver and gold are being mined."[4] The Irish sphinx is probably Pulpit Rock.
In 1942, another railroad accident killed on person. [5]
References
- ↑ "Water was the cause of the explosion," Reno Evening Gazette, Monday, April 29, 1912, Page 2 "Company Will Probably Have to Stop Using Water from Tank at Trego."
- ↑ Nevada State Journal, "Western Pacific Engine Explodes," April 24, 1912. Description of the wreck.
- ↑ "Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen's Magazine, Volume 53," Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen, 1912 - Locomotive firemen. "Lodge 792 FL Rouse Winnemucca Nev. Out here in Nevada we are fully alive to the great good being accomplished by our Brotherhood. Our members are working earnestly to advance the interests of our lodge and keep the men of our craft within its jurisdiction organized up to the one hundred per cent standard. We had a bad wreck between Winnemucca and Gerlach Nev on the Eastern Division of the Western Pacific RR on April 22d last. The boiler of engine No 49 exploded completely wrecking the engine and causing the death of Bro. Fred A Reader engineer, James Casey and head brakeman Cosby. Brother Reader was one of our best members on whom the firemen could count to show by example to the company for whom he worked the fruits of the Brotherhood's teachings. Brother Reader's seniority entitled him to a passenger run but he believing that the best school for an engineer was on a freight engine did not take his rights on the easier run. The pictures appearing with this letter were taken by myself while on wrecking train." Image caption: "LOCOMOTIVE BOILER EXPLOSION ON WPRR NEAR ANTELOPE STATION APRIL 22 1912 Showing position of firebox 622 feet from track "
- ↑ "Descriptive Time Tables, Denver and Rio Grande - Western Pacific, Winter 1914-1915."
- ↑ Accident near Antelope, Nevada," 1942.
Resources
- http://www.trainweb.org/chris/Trip_PacificLimited.html -- (w/ pictures, July 1992)