Head-on on the Punk

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EdK:
Either for lack of sufficient personnel or other
reasons, the ICC didn't investigate all accidents.

On October 14, 1918 (?), two class W's passed
a home signal indicating proceed at Bridge 5
in Norfolk.  After passing the signal, the bridge
tender raised the draw.  Both locomotives went 
into Eastern Branch and all crewmen were killed.
Apparently Bridge 5 wasn't properly interlocked
if the draw could be raised with a train on the
circuit.  This was never investigated by the ICC.

Then in 1947, a Virginian BA headed west
at Algren (near Portsmouth) plowed through
the 18th car of an eastbound SAL freight at
the automated interlocking.  The VGN head
end crew jumped before the collision.  No
deaths, but injuries.  Engineer spent months
in Maryview Hospital, Portsmouth.  No 
investigation.                     Harry Bundy
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