Re: NNG - Santa Fe Southern just sold - news release

In 1970-71, A similar accident occurred in the Blythe, CA area. I was a trainee at the local United California Bank and heard that the ATSF Ripley train derailed at an irrigation canal north of town. When I arrived at the scene, an engine and box car were in the ditch off a bridge and the police had sealed off the box car - a loaded, refrigerated load of Coors beer. The first thing to be removed from the accident was the beer, which was hauled off under guard, to be destroyed by running a bulldozer over the beer at the city dump. No salvage was allowed, except for the kegs which were emptied into the dump and returned to the local vendor.

After the beer was removed, the engine and box car were re-railed and the train was sent into the Blythe yard. This was over about a two day operation.. No off loading of other freight cars was allowed until after the beer was destroyed.

Harry