Litchfield, IL: Winston Junction Tower, IC/CB&Q Wreck

(Satellite, see "BNSF/CB&Q vs. NS/Wabash + Aban/ICG/IC + Aban/C&NW/L&M" for more information)

Gary Sams posted

Winston Tower South of Litchfield, Illinois IC and CB&Q wreck Aug 6,1947
Paul Jevert shared

When this photo was shared to the CB&Q Group, John David Mitchell Jr. commented:

The ICRR engine crew ran the red home signal and went though the derails, across the diamond and into the other train. The CB&Q coal train had the plant!

I saw a comment from Gary that I could not find again. I remember he said the IC train was doing 70 mph when it hit! So the engineer, and everybody else in the cab, not only did not see the signal, they evidently did not see a train in front of them and apply emergency braking! When the unions argue that two-person crews are more safe than one-person crews, it assumes both people are paying attention rather than distracting each other.

I repeat the photo because it has a different exposure.

Jim Arvites posted
On August 6, 1947 a train crash involving the Illinois Central's "Green Diamond" occurred at Winston Tower just south of Litchfield, Illinois where the IC crossed the CB&Q. A northbound "Green Diamond" traveling at 70 MPH ran a caution signal and crashed into a CB&Q freight train. In the accident 25 people were injured, none seriously.
(The State Journal Register)
Ray Foshée Coming out of the mechanical Dept I don't know, what is the crew suppose to do under yellow or caution signal.
Donald Morice Ray Foshée Basically, reduce speed so that you can stop within half the distance of what you can see in front of you.