September 16,1854 Alexandria Gazette V&T wreck story

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Thanks for the post. This may help to explain what happened to the 
Phoenix.  This little 4-4-0, V&T # 6, was built by J. R. Anderson in 
1853 and condemned in 1859.  This was the first V&T locomotive to be 
destroyed after the wreck date.  A rather short life for a locomotive 
even for that time period.

Just wish the article had included the locomotive number or name.

Jim Blackstock

At 09:41 AM 1/15/2008, you wrote:

> >From those REALLY thrilling days of Yesteryear

>

>We learn from the Lynchburg, Virginian, that a serious

>accident occurred on the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad

>last Wednesday morning, above Big Spring Depot. The

>downward freight train, in passing the trestle work,

>came in contact with three dirt cars which had been

>negligently left on the track, and the engine was

>throen off, detached from train, and precipitated some

>sixty feet over the embankment. The engineer succeeded

>in leaping from from the engine to one of the freight

>cars; but the conductor, Mr. Conner, and the fireman,

>a free negro went down with it. The latter was killed

>instantly, and the conductor severely, perhaps fatally

>injured. The engine is said to be a perfect wreck.

>

>Alexandria Gazette, Saturday, September 16,1854

>

>

>