[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 107 (Monday, August 3, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1516-E1517]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TOWN OF THURMAN COMMEMORATES D&H RAILROAD CRASH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD B.H. SOLOMON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 31, 1998

  Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, each weekend I look forward to returning to 
my congressional district to take in the scenic landscape and peaceful 
small towns that comprise New York's Hudson Valley. Today I would like 
to recall an event that shook that peace, now over fifty years ago.
  The morning of August 26, 1946 seemed no different than any other 
summer morning in the Hudson Valley. The southbound D&H Railroad 
passenger Extra moved steadily south along the bank of the Hudson 
River, carrying as its cargo of 318 children home to their families 
after their summer stays at camp in the Adirondack mountains. At the 
same time, the passenger Train No. 181 steamed north on its regularly 
scheduled run, on a collision course with the passenger Extra. Two 
miles south of The Glen, in the Town of Thurman, the two trains 
collided in a violent roar of screeching brakes and twisting, grating 
metal.

[[Page E1517]]

  When rescue workers arrived to witness the horrible scene on the 
banks of the Hudson River, they found Engineer Frank Keeham dead, 
pinned at the throttle of the No. 181 Train. Twelve others were 
injured, many seriously. Thankfully and miraculously, all of the 
children survived.
  Mr. Speaker, on August 23, 1998 the Town of Thurman, located in 
Warren County, New York, and the John Thurman Historical Society, will 
commemorate the fateful D&H railroad crash by placing a memorial plaque 
beside the railroad tracks at the site of the crash.
  I invite all members to join me, with the Town of Thurman, New York 
in commemorating the D&H crash in the spirit of the Town's bicentennial 
motto, ``looking forward to the future while cherishing the past.''

                                                  The John Thurman


                                           Historical Society,

                                         Athol, NY, June 20, 1998.
     Hon. Gerald B. Solomon,
     U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Representative Solomon: It was a peaceful August 
     morning in 1946, along the Adirondack branch of the D&H 
     Railroad line. The Hudson River gurgled lazily in its bed 
     beside the tracks, as if to guide the southbound D&H 
     passenger special long its way. One can imagine that the 318 
     children aboard were laughing, singing camp songs and 
     chattering excitedly about being reunited with their families 
     after a summer's stay at an Adirondack camp. Unbeknownst to 
     these children and their adult chaperones, northbound Train 
     No. 181 was headed straight toward them, proceeding on its 
     regularly scheduled run. As the second train rounded a curve 
     two miles south of The Glen, in Thurman, the two trains came 
     face to face. The screech of brakes, grating of steel on 
     steel, hissing of steam and the roar of telescoping railroad 
     cars devastated the mountain stillness. When rescue workers 
     arrived on the scene, they found the engineer of the 
     northbound train dead at the throttle of his engine, crushed 
     by folded steel and scalded by steam. Twelve others were 
     injured, many seriously. Miraculously, all of the children 
     survived the crash.
       On the eve of restoration of rail service along the former 
     D&H line, the John Thurman Historical Society heeds the 
     message of the town's bicentennial motto by ``looking forward 
     to the future while cherishing the past.'' We will place a 
     memorial plaque (authorized by The Warren County Board of 
     Supervisors, Resolution 358 of 1998) beside the railroad 
     tracks at the site of the fateful crash. We invite you to 
     attend a brief ceremony dedicating that plaque at two p.m., 
     Sunday, August 23, 1998. Those wishing to attend may proceed 
     directly to the site, off River Road, as shown on the 
     attached map, or meet at the Thurman Town Hall on Athol Road 
     in Athol between one and one-thirty p.m. to caravan to the 
     ceremony with others who know the way.
       Following the ceremony refreshments will be served at the 
     Town Hall and commemorative postal cachets and cancellations 
     will be available.
       We would be honored to have you share the afternoon of 
     August 23 with us. The pleasure of your reply is requested.
           Sincerely yours,
                                                  Robin Croissant,
     President, John Thurman Historical Society.
                                  ____



                   Warren County Board of Supervisors


                       RESOLUTION NO. 358 OF 1998

    (Resolution introduced by Supervisors Belden, Montesi, O'Neill, 
                  O'Connor, Rehm, Bennett and Landry)

  AUTHORIZING PLACEMENT OF MEMORIAL PLAQUE BY THE TOWN OF THURMAN ON 
                        COUNTY RAILROAD PROPERTY

       Resolved, that the Warren County grants the Town of 
     Thurman's request to place a memorial plaque on County 
     railroad property stating: ``At this site on August 26, 1946, 
     ``passenger Extra'' collided with a northbound passenger 
     Train No. 181. Engineer Frank Keeham died in the cab pinned 
     at the throttle.'', now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, that the Director of the Parks & Recreation 
     Department be, and he hereby is, authorized and directed to 
     approve the Town of Thurman's site location for said memorial 
     plaque, and be it further
       Resolved, that the Town of Thurman shall maintain said 
     plaque.

     

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