Looking for an OLD Photo...

[fd141]

I'm in need of a few copies of a photo that was taken on "Black Thursday",I believe.
It was in the paper Friday,Jan.16,1953.It was The Pumper from 8Engine transporting patients from Union Station.
I've been in contact with Mr.Gerhart and he can't recall having one in his library.
I will pay whatever the cost will be to get 3-4 copies.
Thank You in Advance,
Danny Howard
(Lil' Flat-top) :D

[Pumperman]

Posibly in the Archives of the Post or Library of Congress.

[? BUCKY IS HERE]

Yeah, I remember that day. The circus was in town, so my parents had taken me down to sign me up as Bucky the Monkey Boy, and the carnival train was just pulling out headed for our next stop in Wheeling, West Virginia when the big crash happened. Man, that thing hit so hard, the back of my neck is still swollen. Well, good luck finding the pics.

[? BUCKY IS HERE]

HAY! Thiss is rilly Bucky and I left myself logged on at work and sumbuddy is thinking they are funny and screwing around. Plus you know that wasnt mecuz all the words were spelled. right. Also my paents never signed me up to be Monkey Boy, I was Bucky the Dog Face boy. Don't lett me catch who is messingg around. either.

[stillagoodjob]

Yeah but the Wheeling, W.Va line hit a little close to home. ;)

[? BUCKY IS HERE]

Close to home? Iff your from West Virginia, and sumthing hits close to home, then just drive your home a little farther away. That's what I did- I drove out of West Virginia and when my house glot a flat tire in Frederick, I parked it and now i live hear.

[DCFDRescue2]

Yeah but the Wheeling, W.Va line hit a little close to home. ;)

At least they didn't bash Michigan state. I understand you are quite a fan of the football program there.

[ALF 700]

Danny, I have about 20 Photos from the newspapers of Black Thursday.
This is the only one with injured being loaded on to a wagon. Its From the Standard Tire And Battery Explosion at 10th & H sts ne. Hope its what your looking for.

[Phantom]

Can someone describe "Black Thursday" ie. what happened.

[Pumperman]

Prior notification that a runaway train was heading for Union Station that did hit while the Standard Tire and Battery fire was being faught. Have read that they unhooked pumpers from hydrants to send to Union Station. A google search can get you info but I'm not sure if "Black Thursday" will work since it may be our description of the day and not the public's. Noone was killed in the train crash that eventually fell into the basement of the station.

http://www.steamlocomotive.com/GG1/prr4876-crash.html

http://www.thejoekorner.com/rrfolklore/fedexp.shtm

[Pumperman]

Another piece I found from believe it or not the fems dc site.

The department continued its growth through the latter part of the 20th century, developing a reputation as one of the finest firefighting forces in the country. One of its darkest moments came on a day that became known as Black Thursday. On the morning of January 15, 1953, a runaway passenger train careened into Union Station and plunged through the floor. Firefighters instituted a major rescue operation to aid the 36 who were injured. While this operation was in progress, a minor fire in Standard Tire and Battery Store approximately 10 blocks away suddenly turned into tragedy. An explosion that tossed firefighters through the air like duckpins rocked the building. Forty-two firefighters were injured, but miraculously none were killed.

[Phantom]

Thankks for the info.

[roofhook]

After the train crashed thru the floor at union station, they had to build a temporary floor over the wrecked engine because the president was coming through there the next day....I have pictures somewhere of the wreck.
As far as the explosion, I'll have to ask my uncle about that. I believe he was employed by DC Fire at that time.

[ALF 700]

This is A view of Union Station on Black Thursday