The Mystery Passenger – Paperback

Description

Tragic Train Tales of the 1900’s

On June 23, 1900, Old No. 7 was on her regular run from Macon to Atlanta. Record rains had fallen the entire month flooding the creeks and fields. When arriving at McDonough Station, the engineer, James Sullivan, received orders to wait on the delayed connecting train from Columbus. After two hours Old No. 7 proceeded to Atlanta with forty-eight passengers and crew aboard unaware of the danger ahead. Just north of the station the earthen trestle had been undermined by the swollen Camp Creek. Just as the locomotion reached the northern edge of the trestle the weight of the train caused the trestle to collapse sending the entire train and occupants fifty feet into the creek below.

Hans Broder, a former teacher and bank executive retells the tragic story through the eyes and ears of a mystery passenger. The Henry County wreck is the major focus; however, the book delves into railroad history, including other train wrecks and the railroad men and passengers involved. What becomes of these individuals makes for compelling reading.