Re: 169 and collison with 411

This accident was caused by Engineman Smith and Fireman McGuire misreading their orders.

Train order No. 24 read as follows:

"No. 115 Eng. 169 run one 1 hour late Lava to Osier fifty 50 mins late Osier to Cumbres"

Engineman Smith and Fireman McGuire (Eastbound with light engine 411 heading to the Alamosa shop with a broken side rod for repairs) in some unknown manner read train order No. 24 (received from operator Lively at Cumbres) as directing opposing Westbound train No. 115 to run 1 hour and 50 minutes late, whereas it was only 1 hour late, and having made this mistake they did not realize that their engine was occupying the main track on the time of train No. 115 until after the accident occurred.

Engineman Wright and his firemen (name not indicated in report) on 169 died in the collision. Hines was the conductor on train #115. The accident occurred at a point about 1 mile east of Toltec; On account of rock bluffs on the inside of the curve, the range of vision is restricted to about 60 feet. The weather was clear at the time of the accident, which occurred at 11.10 a.m.

Rod