John P. Connor

John Connor was the younger brother of James Connor. Their father was Richard Connor and younger brother was Steve Connor. Steve Connor was the engineer on the last D&RGW passenger train over Cumbres Pass in November 1968.
Paul Connor, Steve's grandson, now works for the Union Pacific.
Jim Connor was the helper engineer on the Silverton mixed and John Connor was the fireman. The other engine had Louis Johnson and Bennie Hindelang as the crew. John Connor was thrown clear of the engine but crushed by the flanger that was spaced between the locomotives. The flanger also tumbled into the Animas River.
Louis Johnson was killed in an almost repeat of the wreck a couple of years later. John ``Jack'' Dieckman was his fireman.
James Pheney was the conductor on the train when John Connor was killed. He was the senior conductor on the former Fourth Division lines for a while in the 1930s, working the Chili Line. Pheney retired to Durango in the late 1930s.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/17/2014 05:26PM by CharlieMcCandless.