Montana Derailment Crisis

Montana Derailment Crisis
Details
Date	24 July 1976 (1976-07-24) 11:47 AM
Location	Rocky Mountains, Montana
Country	United States
Operator	Central Gateway Turtle Railroad
Incident type	Derailment
Cause	Landslide
Statistics
Trains	1
Crew	3
Deaths	3
Damage	1 ALCO C630

The Montana Derailment Crisis was a railway accident that occured on July 24, 1976 (1976-07-24), in the Rocky Mountains, Montana, when a CGTR train being led by engine #4417, a ALCO C630, would be struck by a landslide, resulting in the deaths of all 3 crew members—Gabe Santiago, Rebecca Lloyd, and Will McBride.

This event is seen as the catalyst of the CGTR Safety Strikes of 1976, as the event spiraled into an attempt to prompt the Central Gateway Turtle Railroad to take safety more seriously. According to investigations on the incident, the event could have been predicted if the area had better safety precautions.

Background

In the mid-1970s, the Central Gateway Turtle Railroad operated a infrequently used line traversing through the Rocky Mountains in Montana. This particular route was primarily used for small trips within the general vicinity, and wasn’t subjected to many maintenance practices. Therefore, it remained relatively underutilized compared to more prominent lines on the railroad.

Due to the geographical location of this line, it was in an area known for its susceptibility to landslides, which is especially typical for mountainous areas such as the Rockies. Despite being aware of the inherent risks involved in operating within such terrain, the CGTR did not prioritize the implementation of safety measures to mitigate the potential threat of landslides encroaching onto the tracks.

Due to the low usage of the line, and perhaps a lack of perceived urgency, there was a lack of proactive action by the CGTR, the line remained susceptible to the looming threat of landslides. Without the proper safeguards in place, the risk of landslides causing damage or even safety concerns to the track and infrastructure in the area.

Accident

On the day of July 24th, 1976, CGTR #4417 would be operating on this line through the Rockies. The crew of this locomotive would consist of engineer Gabe Santiago, brakeman Will McBride, and conductor Rebecca Lloyd. At about 11:00 AM, the locomotive would begin to climb up the Rocky Mountains on its way to its destination of Helana, Montana.

The locomotive departed from the city of Billings, Montana, at around 8:30 AM going an average speed of 50 miles per hour (80 km/h) throughout the trip. As it began to climb the mountain, the locomotive would struggle due to the incline, and attempt to speed up to 40 miles per hour (64 km/h), as opposed to the 25 miles per hour (40 km/h) it was going at 11:20 AM.

At around 11:35 AM, the locomotive would reach a speed of 35 miles per hour (56 km/h), before reaching a lower grade section of the track at around 11:40. It would continue upwards at this speed, until Lloyd would notice a landslide at 11:45, located on a downward sloped area of the track dead ahead. Santiago would immediately attempt to slow the train by pulling the train brake.

The braking measures implemented by Santiago would successfully slow the locomotive to 20 miles per hour (32 km/h), however, at 11:40, the train would reach the downward sloped section of the track, and would be unable to stop. The train would enter the affected area at 11:47 AM, and be struck by many large rocks. The locomotive would be quickly derailed, and slowed to a stop.

As the locomotive slowly drifted towards the edge of the cliff, a rock would strike the cab, severely injuring—and eventually killing— McBride, and rendering Lloyd unconscious. According to some of the last communications from Santiago, the locomotive would eventually drift to a point where it would hang mostly over the side of the cliff, at an offset of around 35° from the edge of the cliff.

Some of the last communications from Santiago would reveal that Lloyd was no longer breathing, most likely due to the dust rendering her unable to breathe. Finally, at 11:55 AM, Santiago would radio, "," before completely vanishing. Upon the arrival of authorities, the bodies of Rebecca Lloyd and Will McBride would be found in the wreck, however Santiago's body would never be found