To the Commission: On November 34, 1932, there was a head-end collision between two freight trains on the Chesapeake and Ohio Rail way at Elk Hill, Va., which resulted m the death of four employees and the injury of two employees Location and method of operation This accident occurred on tne Rivanna Sub-division of the Richmond Division, extending between R Cabin, Richmond, and Gladstone, Va., a distance of 120.7 miles. In the vicinity of the point of accident this is a single-track line over

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... ich trains are operated by time-table, tram orders, and a manual block-signal system. Eastbound trains are superior to westbound trains of the same class. The point of accident was 2,953 feet west of the station at Elk Hill, approaching this point from the eest, beginning at the station at Elk Hill, the track is tangent for a distance of approxi mately 135 feet, then there is a compound curve to the right 1,440 feet in length, varying m curvature from 0° 35' to 2° 36', followed by tangent track for a distance of 1,480 feet, the accident occurring on this latter tangent at a point 93 feet from its western end. Approaching from the west, there is a compound curve to the right 3,355 feet m length, varying m curvature from 0° 10' to 2° 37', followed by the tangent track on which the accident occurred. The grade is level at the point of accident. A passing track 6,954 feet in length parallels the main track on the north, the west switch being located 3,446 feet west of the station. The block section within which this accident occurred extends between Elk Hill and Columbia , the latter etation being 4.9 miles west of Elk Hill. An engine at the point of accident can be seen from a point approximately 1 mile west thereof, but it can not be determined whether the engine is on the main track or siding until a point 844 feet west of it has been reached. The weather was clear at the time of the accident, which occurred about 1.35 p.m. -2-Descnption Westbound fifth-class freight train No. 57, in charge of Conductor Fleming and Enginenmn Gilmnn, departed from R Cabin, Richmond, at 9.15 a.m., according to the tram sheet, 2 nours and 45 minutes late. At fflestham, 9.5 miles west of R Cabin, tram order No. 34 was received, reading. "No.72 wait at Sabot until 10.55 a.m., Vmita, 11.05 a.m., for No. Tram No. 57, consisting of a caboose, 116 cars, and a caboose, in the order named, hauled by engine 2539, passed Pemberton at 1.2<± p.m., 4 nours and 12 minutes late, and arrived at Elk Hill at 1.30 p.m., Mere another copy of tram order No. 46, previously Quoted, was received, together with clearance c^rds, Forms A and B, the former bting authority to pass tne stop signal and the latter reading: