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Lowell Map
Lowell Tribune
Chicago Herald
The Only Eyewitness
Jim Baker Photos
Hunley Movie
Lake County Sheriff's Department
Historic South Bend, Indiana
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Lowell, Indiana...Milepost 44.8 on the mainline from Chicago, Illinois. The morning of May 22, 1952 this quiet little town of 1600 was rocked by a train derailment and fire. May 22, 2002 marked the 50th anniversary of the derailment. 2002 is also the Sesquicentennial (150 years) of Lowell, Indiana. My sole purpose was to document the events of that morning through newspaper and personal accounts as well as photographic collections. To people who visit, or were not around when this accident occurred, the accident may seem trivial or insignificant. Nobody was killed or injured. To those living in Lowell, it was a potential catastrophe. Commerical Avenue crossing, circa 1964. The site of the accident fourteen years earlier. This site is on going. I am constantly in search of additional pictures, movies or eyewitness accounts. They are part of the history of Lowell, Indiana. As for your author, Lowell, Indiana will always be considered my hometown. Since childhood, railroads and the Monon in particular, have figured prominently in my life. Besides May 22, 1952, another red letter day in Lowell's, and Monon, history was September 30, 1967. Train Number 6, paid it's final visit to Lowell and thus ended passenger service on the Monon. My father and little sister were captured by photographer James Boyd and are now a part of the George Hilton book, "Monon Route" , on page 277 (Dad is the one with the young child on his shoulders). I hope that my efforts will insure the 1952 wreck will always remain a part of the history of Lowell, Indiana. Special Announcement! June 9, 2003, 1952 Lowell Wreck was added to RailroadForums.Com A free online bulletin board and photo gallery for railroaders, railfans, model railroaders and anyone else who is interested in railroads. They cover a wide variety of topics, from the latest developments in today's railroading to the early days of railroading. Check them out. Please drop me an E-mail All Rights Reserved Thomas Kepshire- Buzzy Needum Content may not be reprinted, duplicated, or distributed with the express written consent of the author.
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