FE094 Old 97
The wreck of the "Old 97" was an American rail disaster involving the Southern Railway mail train, officially known as the Fast Mail, while en route from Monroe, Virginia, to Spencer, North Carolina, on September 27, 1903. Due to excessive speed in an attempt to maintain schedule, the train derailed at the Stillhouse Trestle near Danville, Virginia, where it careened off the side of the bridge, killing eleven on-board personnel and injuring seven others.
George C. Davis Photography
Roanoke Public Libraries
28 September 1903
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
Photograph
Still Image
FE094
FE089 Old 97
The wreck of the "Old 97" was an American rail disaster involving the Southern Railway mail train, officially known as the Fast Mail, while en route from Monroe, Virginia, to Spencer, North Carolina, on September 27, 1903. Due to excessive speed in an attempt to maintain schedule, the train derailed at the Stillhouse Trestle near Danville, Virginia, where it careened off the side of the bridge, killing eleven on-board personnel and injuring seven others.
George C. Davis Photography
Roanoke Public Libraries
28 September 1903
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
Photograph
Still Image
FE089
FE086 Old 97
The wreck of the "Old 97" was an American rail disaster involving the Southern Railway mail train, officially known as the Fast Mail, while en route from Monroe, Virginia, to Spencer, North Carolina, on September 27, 1903. Due to excessive speed in an attempt to maintain schedule, the train derailed at the Stillhouse Trestle near Danville, Virginia, where it careened off the side of the bridge, killing eleven on-board personnel and injuring seven others.
George C. Davis Photography
Roanoke Public Libraries
28 September 1903
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
Photograph
Still Image
FE086
HNWR154
Wreck at Powhatan, West Virginia. Notice the double-tracking in the image. Unfortunately, the development of adequate rail safety technology was years from completion, making railroading a dangerous profession.
unknown
Images of Rail: Norfolk and Western Railway by Nelson Harris
7 August 1904
Nelson Harris; Virginia Museum of Transportation
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
Digital tiff
Still Image
HNWR154
HNWR101
Engines No. 14 and No. 37 collided at Rural Retreat. Note the collapsed front half of the first baggage coach. While engines could often withstand collisions, the wood-constructed baggage and passenger coaches were extremely vulnerable.
unknown
Images of Rail: Norfolk and Western Railway by Nelson Harris
20 October 1920
Nelson Harris; Virginia Museum of Transportation
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
Digital tiff
Still Image
HNWR101
HNWR100
A closer view of the Thaxton wreck shows the debris pile. Engineer Pat Donovan's body was so badly mangled he was only identified by his clothing. The entire woodwork of the train was burned due to exploding gas lights in the coaches. Seven cars were destroyed and six employees and eleven passengers lost their lives. Engine No. 43 is handing the wreck car.
unknown
Images of Rail: Norfolk and Western Railway by Nelson Harris
2 July 1889
Nelson Harris; Virginia Museum of Transportation
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
Digital tiff
Still Image
HNWR100
HNWR099
This head-on collision occurred at Rippon, Virginia. Engine No. 481 is at left.
unknown
Images of Rail: Norfolk and Western Railway by Nelson Harris
1918
Nelson Harris; Virginia Museum of Transportation
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
Digital tiff
Still Image
HNWR099
HNWR009
On July 2, 1889, a night storm swelled Wolf Creek near Thaxton, Virginia, which rose out of its banks just as passenger train No. 2 was crossing. The situation became N&W's first major disaster. There was only one survivor, trainmaster James Cassell, who was swept along by the current but managed to cling to a tree until rescued.
unknown
Images of Rail: Norfolk and Western Railway by Nelson Harris
2 July 1889
Nelson Harris; Virginia Museum of Transportation
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
Digital tiff
Still Image
HNWR009
RREC20 Number 44
Another view of Brill car Number 44 after a collision with a Virginian Railway locomotive under the Walnut Avenue Bridge.
unknown
Roanoke Public Libraries
6 December 1941
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
photograph
Still Image
RREC20
RREC19 Number 44
Brill car Number 44 after a collision with a Virginian Railway locomotive under the Walnut Avenue bridge.
unknown
Roanoke Public Libraries
6 December 1941
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
photograph
Still Image
RREC19
MP 58.0 Ole 97
The aftermath of the wreck of the "Ole 97". Due to excessive speed in an attempt to maintain schedule, the train derailed at the Stillhouse Trestle near Danville, Virginia where the train careened off the side of the bridge, killing eleven personnel on board and injuring seven others.
Roanoke Public Libraries
27 September 1903
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
photograph
Still Image
MP58.0
Davis 61.71 Thaxton Train Wreck
Train wreck on the Norfolk and Western railroad. Twenty one wounded and the number of killed unknown, as the records were destroyed. Man in foreground unidentified
George C. Davis Photography
Roanoke Public Libraries
2 July 1889
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
Photograph
Still Image
Davis61.71