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Topic: Doodlebug crash (Read 1333 times) |
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bruces
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Doodlebug crash
« Thread started on: Aug 30th, 2004, 6:53pm » |
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While I don't have any specific info on this particular crash, I can give some information that will add some perspective. The term "doodlebug" was applied to any self-propelled rail vehicle and began coming into use around 1910 when the McKeen cars, powered by a kerosine engine, began to appear. Some of these doodlebugs were as small as an automobile and were powered by a model A engine. By the late 1920s various types were in wide use, as they were much more economical for short trips than a steam engine. The GE/Wason unit involved in the Falls crash weighed about 45 tons, almost all of which was frame, running gear, engine, generator and motor- and, of course, a large tank full of gasoline. The passenger compartment consisted of a light frame covered by a sheet metal skin. In accidents with horses and automobiles these cars could be badly damaged.
Its nemesis was a freight locomotive weighing between 150 and 250 tons without counting the fuel and water, plus probably several thousand tons of loaded cars. The result of operating these two kinds of vehicles on a single track within a tight schedule was all too often exactly the same as in the Falls in 1940. Later rail passenger vehicles sharing tracks with freight operations had diesel engines, eliminating the hazards associated with gasoline. Most of the interurban lines, like the earlier line on Second Street, were electric powered and carried only passengers. If not for regrettable decisions made by the Pennsylvania Railroad during a poor economy, most of those people would have lived. Brucesems
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Doug Ternosky
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Re: Doodlebug crash
« Reply #1 on: Sep 2nd, 2004, 5:47pm » |
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Nice piece on the Doodlebug. Back in 1987, when the city was having their 175th anniversary, I produced the 175th anniversary on VHS for the city. One of the things I did was go into the history Archives and made a short mini documentary on the early 1900's. And, of course the Doodlebug was part of it. A lot of history came from that city. Back when there was a lot of different mills on the bank of the river, they were all made out of wood and when one caught fire, most of them all did. The Hudson Stabolt company was one business that comes to mind as well as the Tannery. From what I understand, the origional Falls is under 30 feet of water at the power plant. I believe you still can check out the video at the library. If not, I can probably send you one.
Doug, class of 73
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bruces
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Re: Doodlebug crash
« Reply #2 on: Sep 5th, 2004, 2:50pm » |
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Thanks, Doug! Since Brian and I are both in San Diego, we don't get down to the Falls library too often, but we would really like to see your video. We would gladly pay for any costs involved. Give me an e-mail :
bsemelsberger03@nethere.com
Brucsems
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Misty McKinney
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Re: Doodlebug crash
« Reply #3 on: Jul 20th, 2005, 12:24pm » |
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I don't know alot about the Doodlebug Crash other than the fact that my Great Grandfather was killed in the crash. I just want to say to everyone has been involved with the history of the crash that you are doing a GREAT job. I still have one Great Aunt living, she is 81 years old and I am bringing her to the dedication memorail ceremony on July 31st. There are alot my family memebers coming also. I found out about the memorial through the Akron Beacon Journal and since that article I have been researching the crash and now have alot of great information. THANK - YOU to everyone......
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LJS
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Re: Doodlebug crash
« Reply #4 on: Oct 24th, 2006, 7:49pm » |
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I finally found something on the Doodlebug crash.
I thought I was probably getting old and not remembering things right.
I can remember being held up to see into what was left of the Doodlebug right after the crash. Through the years when I remember it, I thought that I must of dreamed what I had seen. When I was young and talked about it everyone would change the subject.
I was very very young and never thought anyone could remember something at that age. But I can even remember on which corner of the Doodlebug I could see into. The crash happened not far from where my grandfather had his machine shop and I was visiting everyone at the shop. I also remember my mother being very mad at my father for taking me with him when he walked over to it.
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tomchrisman1
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Researching Robinson and Chrisman families
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Re: Doodlebug crash
« Reply #5 on: Jul 18th, 2008, 9:58pm » |
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This is a very interesting discussion. I know very little about this incident, My father always told me that he was present when this occurred and tried to help without much success. Interest posts that help shed light on this event.
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madrabbit
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Re: Doodlebug crash
« Reply #6 on: Jul 21st, 2008, 1:24pm » |
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on Jul 18th, 2008, 9:58pm, tomchrisman1 wrote:| This is a very interesting discussion. I know very little about this incident, My father always told me that he was present when this occurred and tried to help without much success. Interest posts that help shed light on this event. |
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I would second that. I grew up in the Falls during the 70s and 80s and never heard anything about the crash until later on in life.
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stodghill
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Re: Doodlebug crash
« Reply #7 on: Oct 4th, 2008, 6:14pm » |
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There never has been a lot of talk about it in the Falls. The high school football stadium is named in honor of Earl Clifford, a funeral director and school supporter, who was killed in the crash.
Victor Moore, a high school teacher at the time, worked on the Doodlebug during the summer. The crash took place on his day off. He felt it was caused by an anbiguous method of communication between the conductor and engineer. If they were to stop at the Silver Lake siding (which they were supposed to do that day) the conductor would hand the orders to Murtaugh, the engineer, and say, "K on the lake." If they were not to stop he would say, "OK." Apparently Murtaugh did not read the orders and misunderstood the conductor.
Nine were killed by the impact, 34 burned to death.
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Dick Stodghill
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