Archive of 32 photographs and a reward poster for a train accident in Raytown, Missouri, 1970

N.p.: N.p., 1970. Archive of 32 vintage photographs documenting the October 20, 1970 collision of two trains along the Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific Railroad line in Raytown, Missouri. Also included in the archive is a single broadside reward poster offering $5000 for information pertaining to the accident.

According to a contemporary newspaper article which appeared in nearby Jackson County's Independence Examiner, the accident was believed to have been caused by juvenile vandalism to a nearby track switch. The collision and subsequent derailment resulted in the death of one engineer, whose partial body is visible in several photographs. (truncated)

The photographs in the archive range from close-up shots of the mangled train cars and tracks to distance views of the surrounding woods. Frequently displayed in the images is a small, handwritten police chalkboard noting the date, location, and case numbers. A vivid and interesting look at investigative photography and railway disasters in the late twentieth century.

Photographs 10 x 8 inches, housed in a manila envelope with the logo of Chicago Rock Island and Pacific Railroad Co. on the top left corner. Reward poster 9 x 12 inches. Poster and photographs Near Fine overall, envelope Very Good plus. (Inventory #: 151354)