May Complete Bridge Work on Week-End
D. A. Logan, District Superintendent for the Erie Railroad, Tuesday afternoon reported that repairs to the railroad bridge spanning the Cattaraugus Creek were proceeding according to schedule.
He said that the bridge steel would be put in place sometime Wednesday and he hoped the railroad line would open Friday. This actually would put work one day ahead of the ten days estimated last Wednesday immediately after the wreck.
Forty-nine of the 63 cars derailed in the worst train wreck to hit the Erie Railroad were destroyed while the remaining will be able to return to service. The cars contained everything from bottled gas to powdered milk, potatoes, baled cotton, washing machines, and empty beer bottles.
All of the cars beneath the bridge have been removed with the aid of a 65-ton carpenter crane, the largest in Buffalo. Wreckage in the creek bed is being removed by William Higgins and Sons of Buffalo. Penetryn System contractors are reinforcing the damaged bridge piers. All other work is being done by the Erie Railroad construction crews.
Over 150 men have been working around the clock on the reconstruction job until Monday night when a 10 hour work day was begun. The bridge crew, under the leadership of Jack Chamberlain, is still working around the clock. There have been no injuries thus far on the huge job.
The five thru trains a day which customarily pass through Gowanda have been re-routed through Hornell and Salamanca, a trip that takes four hours more.
Superintendent Logan praised the fine aid given by the Gowanda firemen and police department standing by at all times in case of emergency.
The cause of the accident is still undetermined and will remain so until workmen can reach the bottom of the pile of wreckage in the creek bed. Collapse of the bridge, however, has definitely been ruled out, Mr. Logan reported.
Source: Gowanda News. Gowanda, NY. October 20, 1955. Provided by Phil Palen