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Lake County Sheriff's Department

John Buncich, Sheriff

During one of my trips back to Lake County, I stopped by the Crown Point Fire Department to view some photos of the 1952 train wreck that they had recently found in their archives. On the back of their photos was the stamp of the Lake County Sheriff's Department.

After an inquiry was made via their website , I made contact with Captain John Pruzin of the Crime Lab. The next day Captain Pruzin replied with news of a collection of photos taken from the train wreck and still in their archives. Sheriff John Buncich has approved the release of the pictures for display here.

I would personally like to thank Sheriff Buncich and Captain Pruzin for their assistance and efforts to make these photos available. To enlarge image, just click on image.

This shot is of the wreckage. Taken on the mainline, south of the former depot location, that morning. Courtsey Lake County Sheriff's Department.

 

 

 

 

Great view of the pile of demolished cars The debris at the bottom of the pile was the Lowell depot. This photo was taken from the Lowell Legion parking lot. Courtsey Lake County Sheriff's Department.

 

 

 

 

Early morning shot of the pile of wrecked freight cars. Looking south towards Globe Roofing Products from west side of the tracks. Courtsey Lake County Sheriff's Department.

 

 

 

 

View of the wreckage from the south. Courtsey Lake County Sheriff's Department.

 

 

 

 

A close up of the stack of freight cars. On the right side of the photo, note the person standing on top of another stack of cars. Courtsey Lake County Sheriff's Department.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spectators trying to get a closer look of the damage. Courtsey Lake County Sheriff's Department.

 

 

 

 

Commercial Avenue crossing, east of tracks. Courtsey Lake County Sheriff's Department.

 

 

 

 

Another shot from south of the crossing. Courtsey Lake County Sheriff's Department.

 

 

 

 

Officials surveying the damage. Note firefighters still cooling down the wreckage. Note demolished refridgerated boxcar in foreground. The contents, canned meat, spilled all over the scene. Courtsey Lake County Sheriff's Department.

 

 

 

 


 

 

This picture was taken at Commercial Avenue crossing, looking towards the west. Courtsey Lake County Sheriff's Department.

 

 

 

 

Another great shot of the pile of demolished cars The debris at the bottom of the pile was the Lowell depot. This photo was taken from the Lowell Legion parking lot. Courtsey Lake County Sheriff's Department.

 

 

 

Night action. This pictures was taken obviously before sunrise and it shows the debris as a result of the wreck. Courtsey Lake County Sheriff's Department.

 

 

 

 

Night action. This pictures, also taken before sunrise, was taken from area in front of Hepp's Tavern and is of the action in Commercial Avenue, west of the crossing. Courtsey Lake County Sheriff's Department.

 

 

 

 

Morning action. Another picture taken before sunrise. Tank cars at crossing still burning. Picture taken from Commercial Avenue, west of the tracks, looking east. Courtsey Lake County Sheriff's Department.

 

 

 

 

Morning action. Smoldering wreckage. It is possible that is was once the Lowell Depot, unsure of exact location of picture. Courtsey Lake County Sheriff's Department.

 

 

 

 

Morning action. Smoldering wreckage at crossing. Taken from west of tracks and shows Commercial Avenue crossing. Courtsey Lake County Sheriff's Department.

 

 

 

 

Morning action. Although dark, another picture of the Commercial crossing area. Tank cars are still burning. Picture taken from in front of Hepp's Tavern. Courtsey Lake County Sheriff's Department.

 

 

 

 

Hopper cars piled up in triangle park. Believe this picture was taken from Washington Street, west of the tracks. Courtsey Lake County Sheriff's Department.

 

 

 

 


 

Morning action. Wreckage of the boxcars and debris. Bright objects are more than likely canned meats. Wreckage still smoldering. Courtsey Lake County Sheriff's Department.

 

 

 

 

Morning action. Great shot of the St. John Fire Department fighting the fire at Commercial Avenue crossing. Courtsey Lake County Sheriff's Department.

 

 

 

 

Morning action. Another picture of the demolished boxcars. Note all the bright objects scattered around, I believe those were canned meats. Courtsey Lake County Sheriff's Department.

 

 

 

 

Morning action. This may have been the the cause of the wreck. It has been documented that a broken wheel caused the wreck. Note that one of the wheels is missing. Courtsey Lake County Sheriff's Department.

 

 

 

 

Morning action. Taken from east of the tracks. Shows wreckage and debris. Courtsey Lake County Sheriff's Department.

 

 

 

 

 

Morning action. Another shot of the fire fighting efforts from the Commercial Avenue crossing. Taken in front of Hepp's Tavern. Courtsey Lake County Sheriff's Department.

 

 

 

 

Sunrise. Townspeople get their first look at the damage. Picture taken from Washington Street just east of the tracks. Looking towards the south. Courtsey Lake County Sheriff's Department.

 

 

 

 

 

 


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