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When the rear of train 416 came alongside the station platform, the conductor repeatedly instructed the engineer to stop. The train had almost stopped when it was struck from the rear at 7:38 a.m. by northbound train 720, which was also operating on track 3. The conductor remained on 416 until just before impact.
Train 720. Train 720 had started its revenue run at south Chicago 9 minutes after the departure of train 416. Train 720 consisted of six "old" cars and was manned by an engineer, a collector, and a conductor. The crew, like the crew of 416, had reported to work that morning at the 83d Street yard.
Train 720 had seven scheduled stops between South Chicago and Stony Island Avenue and then had no scheduled stops until Roosevelt Road (12th Street). The brakes worked properly at each of the seven stops, and the train departed from Stony Island Avenue on time. All seats were occupied, and some passengers were standing.
At 67th Street, train 720 was routed onto track 5. Because all signals enroute to Signal 3-3.60 (at 31st Street) displayed clear aspects, the engineer accelerated the train to the maximum attainable speed, which he estimated to be between 55 and 60 m.p.h. The train was not equipped with a speedometer.
Signal 3-3.60 displayed a yellow aspect as 720 approached. At that time, the collector was in the vestibule at the rear of the second car, and the conductor was in the fourth car. The engineer stated that because he expected to catch train 416, he had already set the brakes before he observed Signal 3-3.60. He said that he then further reduced air pressure, and 720 passed the signal at a speed which the engineer estimated to be about 40 m.p.h.
The engineer's view of Signal 3-3.10 from 31st Street was obstructed by an overhead walkway at 27th Street. The engineer first observed train 416 when 720 was "four to six car lengths from the (27th Street) platform." At that time, 416 was alongside the platform and still backing. The engineer of 720 applied the emergency brakes, threw the operating lever to the reverse position, blew the horn, and evacuated the operating compartment. He warned the passengers in the first car that a crash was imminent, and had just entered the passenger area when the collision occurred.
