Collection context
Summary
- Abstract:
- This collection contains corporate records, newspaper clippings and photographs related to the sabotage and subsequent derailement of the "City of San Francisco" on Aug. 12, 1939 near Harney, Nevada.
- Extent:
- 1.666 Linear Feet 2 boxes + 1 oversize box
- Language:
- English
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], "City of San Francisco" Derailment Collection, MS 39, California State Railroad Museum Library & Archives, Sacramento, California.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This collection contains corporate records, newspaper clippings and photographs related to the sabotage and subsequent derailement of the "City of San Francisco" on Aug. 12, 1939 near Harney, Nevada.
Series 1: Corporate Records is comprised of corporate records developed in the investigation of the sabotage and derailment. Included in the papers are maps and drawings of the detrailment and drawings of the "City of San Francisco".
Series 2: Clippings is collection of newspaper clippings related to the reporting of the derailment of the "City of San Francisco".
Series 3: Photographs contains promotional photographs of the "City of San Francisco" as well as accidents of the damaged equipment, the general location and topography of the derailment site, photographs of the altered track, the devices used to cause the derailment. There are also photographs of the police, special agents and individuals who attempted to apprehend the saboteurs. There is also a reward poster issued by the Southern Pacific for capture of the sabotuers.
- Biographical / historical:
-
The "City of San Francisco," operated by the Southern Pacific, Union Pacific and Chicago and North Western Railroads, was called "the largest, fastest, most beautiful, powerful and luxurious streamliner ever designed," when inaugurated on January 2, 1939.
On August 12, 1939, the City of San Francisco train derailed outside of Harney, Nevada, United States, killing 24 and injuring 121 passengers and crew. The train, which carried passengers between Oakland, California and Chicago, derailed at a high embankment next to a bridge over the river along a curve in the canyon between Harney and Palisade, in eastern Nevada. The cars suffered tremendous damage. Evidence found at the point of derailment indicated that it had ben the result of sabotage. Years of detective work by Southern Pacific and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, turned up much evidence and several suspects, but no convictions were ever made. The identities and motives of the saboteurs remain a mystery.
- Acquisition information:
-
Gift of Brian Thompson, 1988
P. H. Carroll Collection [Transfer from State Museum Resource Center], 2010
- Arrangement:
-
MS 39 is arranged into three series:
1 Corporate records
2 Clippings
3 Photographs
- Physical location:
- Statewide Museum Collection Center
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Indexed terms
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Collection is open for research by appointment. Contact Library Staff.
- Terms of access:
-
Copyright has not been assigned to the California State Railroad Museum. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the CSRM Library & Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the CSRM as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], "City of San Francisco" Derailment Collection, MS 39, California State Railroad Museum Library & Archives, Sacramento, California.
- Location of this collection:
-
111 I StreetSacramento, CA 95814, US
- Contact:
- (916) 323-8073