A news article from the Harrisburg Telegraph, 7 August 1908, describing the passenger train wreck that occurred on the Williams Valley Railroad after the train left Tower City, Schuylkill County, on its way to Williamstown, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. The final destination of the train was Lykens. Two members of the crew were killed: Jacob Schrader, the engineer; and Charles Ansbach, the fireman.
Passenger Wreck Near Tower City
Engine and Baggage Coach Plunge Over High Embankment
CHARLES ANSBACH, FIREMAN, KILLED
Jacob Schrader, Engineer, Fatally Scalded: Passenger Uninjured
Special to the Telegraph
Tower City, Pennsylvania, 7 August 1908 — Fireman Charles Ansbach was crushed to death and Engineer Jacob Schrader was so badly scalded that his death is momentarily expected when the engine hauling Philadelphia and Reading accommodation train No. 30 on the Williams Valley Railroad, left the rails and plunged over a high embankment about one and a half miles outside of this place today on its way here from Williamstown. Both men resided in Tremont.
The train left Lebanon for Lykens and was nearing this place about 11:30 when the accident happened. It was made up of three coaches, a baggage car, and the engine, which was running tender foremost at the head of the train. The rails are said to have spread in front of the tended and it plunged over the bank. The engine and the baggage car followed, the car falling on top of the engine.
So quickly did the accident occur that Engineer Schrader had no time to do anything to stop his train. He and the fireman both went over with the locomotive. The fireman fell under the engine and was instantly crushed to death. Escaping steam so badly scalded the engineer that he will die. He was unconscious when picked up.
The engine turned completely over and alighted bottom up. The baggage coach fell on the wreckage and was smashed.
Fortunately, when the baggage car tore loose from the main train the tearing hose set the airbrakes and the three coaches, with over fifty passengers aboard, stuck to the rails. Beyond a severe shaking up none of the passengers or trainmen was hurt.
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Three photographs of this wreck appeared in the Lykens-Williams Valley History-Directory and Pictorial Review, by J. Allen Barrett, published in 1922. They are featured in separate posts of the same title as this post.
Corrections and additional information should be added as comments to this post.