1977 Chicago Loop Derailment - The Accident

The Accident

At about 5:25 p.m., a Ravenswood train composed of 6000-series cars was waiting on the tracks, just past this first turn. However, the Lake–Dan Ryan train, composed of 2000-series and 2200-series cars, did not stop as it approached the Ravenswood train. The Lake-Dan Ryan train proceeded against both track and cab signals, and struck the back of the Ravenswood. This initial impact was at a relatively slow speed, as the motorman, Stephan A. Martin, had just left a station. Passengers on the train reported the initial impact as nothing more than a slight bump.

However, Martin continued to apply traction power to his train after the initial impact, and this resulted in the rear cars continuing to push against the first four cars. These four cars were not only now pinned between the Ravenswood and their own rearmost cars, but they were also located on the bend of the track. Unable to move forward because they were blocked by the Ravenswood, the pressure from the rear caused the coupling bar between the first two Lake–Dan Ryan cars to bend and the ends of those two cars to be pushed in the air. The motor power continued to be applied, eventually pushing the first three cars upwards enough to the point that they jackknifed and fell off the tracks. The second and third cars fell all the way to the street below, while the first fell on one of the support structures for the tracks. The fourth car was pulled off the tracks and dangled precariously between the tracks and street. The last four cars remained on the track, still in the station.