791st Railway Operating Battalion Iran Freak accident

 Thanks to Russ for sending this article about a "freak accident" with the 791st in Iran (1943-1944)

FREAK INCIDENT ON RAILROAD IS HARDLY CREDIBLE

The “freak incident of railroading,” occurring when Engineer Pvt. Carl Lopez and Fireman Pfc. Maurice Brady both fell sound asleep inside their locomotive as it rushed along the rails towards Doroud on the ISR, is unprecedented in hogger history, and perhaps shall never again recur; according to GIs in the 791st Ry. Op. Bn. at Camp Kramer, Andimeshk.

Happened in Early Days

It happened in the early days of railroading in Iran when the utmost in physical exertion was squeezed from every MBS man to expedite supplies to Russia. Carl and Maurice had gone without shut-eye for over 48 hours.

Nearing kilo 671 t h e i r eyelids seemed pulled downward by a conspiracy of force in the earth’s gravity. They fought against Morpheus but the click - click - clack - clack caused drowsiness and fatigue gave way to heavy slumber.

Carl awoke first and hurriedly shook Maurice to sensibility. “What in hell is happening?” Neither of them could figure it out and both were dumbfounded.

Train at Standstill

The engine raced at full steam. They felt the huge drivewheels churning beneath them . . . but the train was standing dead still, suspended midway up a slight grade!

Maurice leaped from the cab and beheld a sight which is believed no man ever saw before.

While these two exhausted GIs slept heavily, their locomotive had struck a greasy spot on the rails. The wheels lost traction and began digging in. The soft rails used in Iran plus the terrific heat of the sun beating upon them caused the track to melt beneath the friction of the harder wheels.

Maurice had to extinguish a fire which was burning up the ties beneath the rails—because steel track had been liquefied almost to the trackbed, where friction ignited the wood.

Anyone in the PGC doubting the truth of the story may go to the railway shops at Atterbury and there find ample proof in the form of the four sections of track which bear perfect impressions of drive wheels.

Pvt. Ralph Viggers