06/11/2026
June 10, 2026 is the 55th anniversary of the City of New Orleans train wreck in the unincorporated town of Tonti, Illinois northwest of Salem, Illinois. According to OH HISTORICAL RESEARCH, the trains lead locomotive was a 2,250 horsepower 12 cylinder make 567B #4031, an EMDE8A manufactured in 1952. THE CAUSE? It was determined a false fl**ge on a flat wheel caused by a seized axle bearing. It would also be Amtrak’s first fatal accident after taking over the Intercity Rail. OUTCOME? 11 people were killed, with 6 of 11 ejected through the large windows, and 163 injured. It was thought one fatality was unable to be identified. The remains unclaimed, the deceased was respectfully buried at East Lawn Cemetery in Salem. REACTION ? The surrounding communities immediately came forward to lend assistance and the newly organized Marion County-Salem Emergency Management Service having just gone through a recent learning seminar responded immediately along with Salem physicians and Nurses who formed a medical team triage at Salem Community High School, and sadly, a temporary morgue was quickly set up in the Salem Armory by a large number of area funeral directors and embalmer’s and immediately put into operation. The town was flooded with National and local news media. There is a video of the derailment on Facebook where you can watch the historical breakdown of this tragic incident. The Salem Area History Museum also has the same video on exhibit playing each Saturday during SAHM hours from 9 am until 1 pm spring & summer hours. It was determined after leaving Chicago’s Central Station at 8 am central time, and expected to arrive New Orleans at 1:30 am on June 11th, there were some operating concerns with engine complications. As the train arrived in Champaign, Illinois, it was checked out, serviced and sent on its way. Heading south, as the train was making its approach at Tonti, it passed over double track with crossovers, and #4031 derailed. The wreckage consisted of 15 cars that included a baggage car, 11 coaches, a liner-counter, a lounge car, and a combination coach/food service car. Salem became an emotional roller coaster that day, that would include receiving accolades for its quick, professional and competent emergency management response. Each entity that responded provided immediate service and offered excellent emergency care considering the magnitude of an unthinkable situation. A SURPRISE. The unidentified victim would later be disinterred in 2025, 55 years later at the request of local a Salem resident and MU journalism student Henry Morton, joined by professional researchers, including the DNA Doe Project. surprisingly it was determined the grave held the remains of two individuals, one adult and one child, both with catastrophic injuries. The DNA, successfully collected is available to be used to be identified should a possible family member present themselves for testing and requests the identity exam. Do stop in the museum this Saturday and take a moment to see the museums media and photograph exhibit and take a moment to watch the video. Professionally filmed and respectfully reported, a train starting a normal day of transportation from Chicago’s Central
Station with uplifting spirits of passengers heading to visit New Orleans, vs, a tragic ending of a catastrophic situation. Sadly, it seems as real today as it did June 10, 1971.
