December 5, 1921 Newtown Branch Train Wreck Commemoration
On Monday December 5, 2011 the Southampton Railroad Station Society hosted the commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the horrific train wreck involving two Philadelphia and Reading Railroad trains. The event was held at the former Reading Company's Bryn Athyn train station which today serves as Bryn Athyn Borough's post office.
Numerous decendents of victims and survivors of that terrible day attended the event. One descendent, Mr. C. David Krewson shared memories passed on to him by his father, Clarence Krewson, who was a 17-year old at the time and on the train headed to Philadelphia. On Dec. 5, 1921, 27 people died and 70 were injured in a head-on collision of two trains on the Philadelphia and Reading Railway, between the now defunct Woodmont and Paper Mill stations. Investigators of the accident held railroad employees and the Philadelphia and Reading Railway responsible for human error. The Interstate Commerce Commission blamed the conductor and engineman of train No. 151 for not waiting at Bryn Athyn as directed, because train No. 156 had right of way on the tracks, as set by the railroad schedule.
Reflections of a Tragedy, by Mark Liss, board secretary of the Southampton Railroad Station Society
The commemoration event drew numerous decedents of those impacted by the 1921 accident, as well as historians, local residents and media. |
The Society displayed numerous photos and news articles from the day of the accident. The Society's long range plan calls for creating a permanent display and exhibit which will be available to the public at the restored Southampton railroad station. |
David Krewson's father, Clarence Krewson, was a passenger on the southbound train and escaped the fiery wreck with
the passenger seated next to him. On December 5, 2011, Mr.
Krewson met the son of his father's seat mate.
The commemoration opened with a prayer by the Reverend Bethany Devos of the Northampton Southampton Reformed Church
in Churchville, where the remains of those who perished are interred.
Charlie Liberto, whose father Felix was on the Southbound train as a member of the crew, Frank Baldin and Jon Frey
of the Society look on during the service.
Society board secretary Mark Liss delivered a short narrative of that fateful day in 1921
David Krewson shares memories passed on by his father with those gathered in remembrance.
Brent McCurdy, mayor of Bryn Athyn presents the
Society with an official proclamation
Newtown Branch historian Richard Mansley attended the event and has spent more than 60 years documenting every detail
of the railroad.
Society President Jim Day looks on during the ceremony.
The Southampton Railroad Station Society and guests (from left to right):
Ed Wallace, assistant director of facilities, SEPTA, SRRSS board members Regina Frey, Mark Liss, Jim Day,
Frank Baldwin, Bryn Athyn Mayor Brent McCurdy, SRRSS board member Jon Frey, Mr. David
Krewson, SRRSS Board member
Charlie Liberto
Media coverage of the commemoration