×

Rails to Trails to commemorate 1872 Christmas Eve crash

Submitted photo Pictured are Chautauqua Rails to Trails president emeritus Jim Fincher, left, president Bill Ward and Dena Ward in 2020.

One of the many benefits of utilizing the trail system created and maintained by Chautauqua Rails to Trails is an appreciation of the county’s railroad history.

A day that lives in infamy is Christmas Eve, 1872, when a Buffalo, Corry and Pittsburgh train went off the trestle, causing the passenger car to fall 25 feet, crash and burn. Twenty-one lives were lost. Many descendants of the victims keep that dark day in mind even today.

Chautauqua Rails to Trails will continue its tradition of commemorating the tragedy at the site of the accident. Attendees will convene at the Prospect Station trailhead, 7000 Fish Road, Westfield, on Christmas Eve at 2 p.m. The trailhead is located at the intersection of Prospect Station Road and Fish Road.

After a quarter-mile hike to the accident site, Chautauqua Rails to Trails president emeritus Jim Fincher will speak and relate the story of the tragic event. CR2T president Bill Ward will perform his original composition, “Christmas Eve at Prospect Station,” which he co-wrote with Mike Bratt.

This year the annual event is special for the organization. It is the 30th anniversary of the writing of a letter in 1991 by Dr. Robert Berke and sent to attorney John Goodell that launched the effort to establish a system of recreational trails on abandoned railbeds in Chautauqua County.

Warm refreshments will be offered back at the trailhead. Every trail lover is welcome.

As a membership promotion the first 10 people to express an interest in joining Chautauqua Rails to Trails will receive a CR2T goodie bag.

All COVID-19 precautions will be observed. For more information call President Ward at 753-2800 or refer to the website chaurtt.org or the organization’s Facebook page.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today