The 1864 Fast Line East Train Disaster

Looking westward on the Juniata River toward Thompsontown Station (on the left bank) Note: Newspapers at the time interchange Thompsontown Station and Thompsontown in their reporting. To keep things organized, I will refer to the wreck location as Thompsontown Station, which was the stopping place on the Pennsylvania Railroad where the wreck happened. I stepped … Continue reading The 1864 Fast Line East Train Disaster

Wreck of the Cleveland and Cincinnati Express

Memorial to the wreck's Unknown Dead, Paxtang Cemetery. Insert: top of the memorial In all the times I have passed through Harrisburg, I've made very few stops at the cemeteries to visit the graves of community members buried there. On this particular trip I was detouring from my journey to visit a memorial within the … Continue reading Wreck of the Cleveland and Cincinnati Express

Remembering the Victims of the Walter L. Main

Note: The first part of the Walter L. Main wreck can be found here: Wreck of the Walter L. Main “Where are we off to today?” Mike asked as he plopped down in the passenger’s seat. “Here and there,” I replied. “Have some cemeteries we need to visit.” “Who are we looking for?” “The victims of … Continue reading Remembering the Victims of the Walter L. Main

The Great Lewistown Train Robbery

Fog lingered on the Juniata River as I pulled into the parking area at the Lewistown Narrows Boat Access. Here the Juniata meanders between the Blue and Shade Mountains on its journey towards Amity Hall and its confluence with the Susquehanna River. Getting out of the vehicle, I walked down to the water’s edge to … Continue reading The Great Lewistown Train Robbery