Great train wreck of 1918

The Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis train No. 4 left Union Station in downtown Nashville at 7:07 a.m. bound for Memphis. At the same time, the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis train No. 1 was heading into Nashville from Memphis, running thirty-five minutes late.

The No. 1 had the right of way so the trainmen of No. 4 were supposed to watch for the No. 1 running past them on the double tracks heading out of Union Station. If they didn't see the No. 1 before hitting a 10-mile stretch of single track west of downtown, they were supposed to stop and wait. Apparently, No. 4 Engineer David Kennedy had mistaken a switch engine hauling empty cars for the No. 1 and assumed it was safe to go ahead.

As the No. 4 approached the stretch of single track, tower operator J. S. Johnson showed a green sign from the tower, indicating all was clear. As he stopped to record the train in his logs, he noticed that there was no entry showing that the No. 1 had passed. Johnson reported to the dispatcher who telegraphed back, "He meets No. 1 there, can you stop him?" Johnson sounded the emergency whistle, but there was no one at the rear of the No. 4 to hear it.

Shortly after 7:15 a.m. the two trains collided at Dutchman's Curve near White Bridge Road. It is estimated they were both traveling at about 60 miles per hour. Many of the wooden cars were crushed or hurled sideways. The sound of the collision could be heard two miles away.

Although the final death toll is disputed, the Interstate Commerce Commission listed the dead at 101. At least 171 people were injured. Many of the victims were laborers from Arkansas and Memphis who were coming to work at the gunpowder plant in Old Hickory outside of Nashville. As many as 50,000 people came to the track that day to help rescue survivors, search for loved ones, or simply witness the tragic scene.