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The ends of each Highliner car were painted black, with a narrow silver border along each side and across the top. To indicate the rear of the train and the type of service, marker lights, which displayed either a red, green, yellow, or clear aspect, were provided in the upper corners of the vestibule end. Each lens was 1-1/2 inches in diameter and was lighted by a 30-watt, 75-volt lamp, which operated on 60 volts. A headlight was located over the vestibule-end center door.
Accident Losses
Fatalities and injuries. The collision killed 45 passengers and injured 332 persons. Most of the fatalities and serious injuries occurred in the rear car on train 416. Shortly after the collision, personnel from the Michael Reese Hospital, which was adjacent to the tracks, and police and fire-department rescue squads arrived. The quick emergency response precluded an even higher number of fatalities.
Train damage. The rear half of the last car of train 416 was demolished. The end of the car and most of the right side were sheared off at floor level. A portion of the left side and several seats on the upper level remained intact. All lower-level seats were destroyed. The underframe of the car was not buckled, and the three other cars of 416 received only minor damage and were returned to service.
The first 10 feet of the lead car of train 720 was demolished. The center sills and couplers on several of the other cars of the train were broken, and these cars sustained sufficient damage to prevent prompt return to service.
Track damage. Track 3 was slightly damaged, but the 27th Street platform was not damaged at all. The ICG estimated that track damage amounted to $200.
Crewmembers
The engineer of train 720 started his employment with the railroad as a locomotive fireman in 1948. The collector and the conductor of 720 started as trainmen prior to 1948. The crew had been assigned to 720 during the 2 years preceding the accident and had previously held similar positions on train 416.
