GP7L SLSF 555 And F3A SLSF 5010 - Destroyed In Washout Derailment - Mansfield, MO - May 9, 1961

I just noticed on picture 455 that the second wrecker crane boom is visible in the distance.

The near crane, which has the black looking boom, is the Springfield crane, which we know has a silver boom. Thus Keith is correct - the dark boom topside is a function of the light angle in the photograph.

Assuming I am correct that FA-1 SLSF 5223 was the lead unit, then the train was running from Memphis to Springfield. Interestingly, 5223 was one of the Frisco FA-1s that was not repowered with an EMD 567. Note its roof, I think I can see the Alco exhaust stack, looks like it is damaged, so I cannot tell for sure if it is the original air-cooled turbo or an upgraded water-cooled turbo.

Under magnification, I see it appears to be the water turbo. This makes sense given 5223's relatively high number in the Frisco's FA-1 series, and that it was not one of the ones selected for repowering.

Also interesting is FA-1 5223 was the very first Frisco FA-1/FB-1 that was retired, in December, 1961 per Marre's Frisco Diesel Power. Probably as a result of damage from this wreck. I have an Arthur Johnson picture of SLSF 5223 from April, 1952. On the back, Art notes "Scrapped Nov, 1961 due to wreck".

Attached is another picture of the wreck, pic 468. Look at the neat ATSF PS2 (Athearn or Walthers model?), and the tank cars. Wonder what was in the tank cars? Thankfully, it does not look like they breached, and there is no evidence of any fire or major liquid spill.

I love looking at pictures like this and pulling out details.

Ken

 

Three more observations.

If you zoom into picture 455 enough and look just to our left of the distant crane boom, over the top of the brown car, you can see the top of a telegraph pole on the opposite side of the tracks.

If you look at picture 468, there is a telegraph pole in the foreground and more in the background.

In the far left of picture 467, there is a pole partially obscured by the tree and a piece of Kraft paper hung up on a downed telegraph wire in the immediate foreground between the men and the camera.

This last pole is on the opposite side of the tracks as the one in the foreground of 455.

The observation then begs a question.

Is is unusual for telegraph lines to cross over the tracks from the inside to the outside of a curve?

 

Thanks Jeff!

I am going to spend some study time on this picture!

Ken

 

What's the big deal, just some busted up diesels.

Not like it hurt anything important.

 

Note you cannot see much, or any, of F3A SLSF 5010 in the aerial view.

The poor thing is under the pile of wrecked freight cars about in the middle of the picture.

You can also see the water-cooled turbo on the lead FA-1 unit.

No doubt the crew in its cab had a thrilling ride to get where the FA-1 wound up!

Ken

 

After looking at all the photos I came to the belief that the aerial was reversed.

The aerial resolved my question about the telegraph poles/lines - there were lines on both sides of the right of way.

I agree that the root cause was a washout.

I have improved the contrast and lighting of the aerial and reposted it here, reversed and unreversed.

 

Jeff,

I stand corrected, in this case I was a little hasty in my analysis.

 

Agree,

The positions of the FA-1, the GP7 and the F-units in the consist as shown in the aerial view Jeff posted are consistent with the other pictures we have on file.

By the way, the notes on the back of the picture indicate the train had six units.

I only count five - the FA-1, the GP7, the two F B-units, and poor F3A 5010.

Am I missing one?

And - five (or six) units on a train this short, 27 cars?

That train had some horses available if they were all running!

Ken

 

Well I counted again

There were six units: FA-1, GP7, F3B, F7A, F3A, and a final F B-unit, in that order.

Almost 9000 HP for 27 cars.

Ken

 

Ah, makes sense.

Thanks.

K

 

Locomotive records indicate the Frisco retired eight units in December 1961.

Per the photographs included in this group were 3 units involved in this washout derailment, FA-1 5223, GP7L 555 and F3A 5010. These units have been identified as occupying positions 1, 2 and 5 respectively in this incident.

The position 3 unit has been identified in the photographs as a F3B. Among the remaining units also retired in December 1961 are 3 F3B units, 5110, 5115 and 5116. As a result, I suspect one of these is the unit that occupied position 3.

The position 4 unit has been identified in the photographs as a F7A. Among the remaining units also retired in December 1961 was a single F7A, SLSF 5026. As a result, suspect this unit occupied position 4.

The position 6 unit is unidentified at this time. Speculation is it is a F3B or F7B. Units retired in December 1961 include the 3 F3B units identified above. At that time the railroad did not retire any F7B units. As a result, it appears the position 6 unit is one of the F3B units identified above, 5110, 5115 or 5116.

The last locomotive of the eight retired in 1961 was a F3A, 5015. That leaves SLSF 5015 and the one remaining F3B not in position 3 or 6 as being retired at the end of the year of the washout derailment. Why these 2 units were also retired in 1961 is unknown at this time. All of the units retired in 1961 were traded into General Electric (GE) on new U25B units.

Hopeful additional information will be developed to identify and solidify the specific locomotive units and positions occupied in this incident. Anyone with additional information and or photographs is encouraged to contribute.

Hope this helps.

Thanks!

Mark