Kew Gardens train crash
| Date | November 22, 1950 |
|---|---|
| Time | 6:29 pm |
| Location | Kew Gardens, Queens, New York City |
| Coordinates | 40°42′17″N 73°49′33″W / 40.70472°N 73.82583°WCoordinates: 40°42′17″N 73°49′33″W / 40.70472°N 73.82583°W |
| Country | United States |
| Rail line | Main Line (LIRR) |
| Operator | Long Island Rail Road |
| Type of incident | Collision |
| Cause | Signal passed at danger |
| Statistics | |
| Trains | 2 |
| Passengers | 2200 |
| Deaths | 78 |
| Injuries | 363 |
The Kew Gardens train crash is the worst railway accident in Long Island Rail Road history, and one of the worst in the history of New York State. It happened during the evening rush hour of November 22, 1950, between Kew Gardens and Jamaica stations in Kew Gardens, Queens, New York City and killed 78 people. At the date of the crash, this was described as being in the Richmond Hill neighborhood, but subsequent boundary changes mean the site is now considered to be in Kew Gardens.
An eastbound, Hempstead-bound train consisting of 12 cars and carrying about 1,000 passengers left Pennsylvania Station at 6:09 p.m. Its first stop was to be Jamaica station, but as it passed the Kew Gardens station, the train's engineer applied the air brakes to reduce speed to 15 miles per hour (24 km/h) in response to a "Go slow" signal. However, once engaged, the brakes would not release, and the train halted. While the engineer investigated the problem, the brakeman, traveling in the rear car, got out and held a red lantern to warn any train following, as per the regulations. He then heard the traction motors power; believing that the brakes were now working and that the train was about to depart, he turned off the lantern and re-boarded the rear car. However, he had not received a signal by the train's whistle to return to the train. The brakes were still locked on and the Hempstead-bound train remained where it was, in the dark, without any protection from the rear.
Soon afterward, the train following, carrying 1,200 passengers bound for Babylon station, came around the bend some 4,600 feet (1,400 m) behind, having left Pennsylvania Station four minutes after the Hempstead train. It slowed to 15 mph (24 km/h) in response to a "Go Slow" signal indicating congestion ahead. The engineer then saw the next signal beyond the stopped train, which showed "All Clear"; thinking that this applied to him he accelerated to 35 mph (56 km/h).
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Wikipedia