Talk:Casey Jones

"Casey Jones the Union Scab"

IWW version of song, "Casey Jones the Union Scab", might be worth mention.
--Jerzy•t 20:32, 21 March 2006 (UTC)

Most famous?

I take issue with the last sentence of the opening paragraph that describes Jones as "the world's most famous railroad engineer for over a century". This is an example of a statement that is presented as fact simply because there is a reference to back it up. I doubt most people - even train engineers - in most parts of the world have ever heard of Casey Jones. So perhaps it would be helpful to re-phrase this? e.g. "He has been called the most famous in the world", or (if there is evidence to back this up) "he is the most famous in the United States". Actually, this whole concept of "most famous" is in itself rather subjective. What about "He is famous in the United States" ? 65.95.238.59 (talk) 19:15, 15 November 2009 (UTC)

I also found out that Casey was a fireman before getting upgraded to engineer> ~2025-38692-37 (talk) 21:15, 5 December 2025 (UTC)

This issue has already been settled! See the discussion section entitled "CASEY's FAME," it is listed in the contents where you could have easily seen it. Just scroll down. You are mistaken, he IS the most famous. There is no question. I think many more engineers worldwide have heard of Casey Jones as opposed to anyone else you might think of. The EVIDENCE is VERY clear and compelling and is in the section called CASEY'S FAME (see below). Why don't you try checking the contents before discussing an aspect of Casey's life and career that has ALREADY been covered?? 206.255.97.67 (talk) 06:29, 9 December 2009 (UTC)

Not everybody has "table of contents" turned on, and "Casey's Fame" wouldn't seem to me to be directly relevant; if I'd seen that title, I'd've thought it was to do with why he was famous or the breadth of his fame, rather than the specific claim of being the "most famous".

There's also bunch of other locally-famous railroad engineers (here's a few, though it doesn't include Jack Mills), and I do doubt many outside of the US have heard the song or about the engineer - I only got to this article because of Casey Junior, who's known further and wider than Mr. Jones. I think this counts as a peacock term, and should be rewritten either in term of facts ("His status as a folk hero has endured for 107 years [citation to current reference to him], including a number of memorials on the centennial of his death in February 2000 [citation present in the Casey's Fame section]") or as a direct quote ('Railway Engineer's Magazine refer to him as "the most famous railway engineer in the world"').

Just my two cents; this is otherwise a very well written and well researched article, and I'm not going to be bold unless there's major consensus on this talk page to make this change. -- Gaurav (talk) 09:56, 9 December 2009 (UTC)

(To clarify, I'm not the anonymous user who started this section/thread, but this page was on my watchlist and so I waded in. Cheers. -- Gaurav (talk) 10:08, 9 December 2009 (UTC))

• He is, at best, the "the world's most famous railroad engineer" only in the same sense that the annual baseball showdown is the "World" Series. EEng 05:17, 31 July 2021 (UTC)

Whoops,Sorry!! ~2025-38692-37 (talk) 20:35, 9 December 2025 (UTC)

Location of birth

In the introduction it says he was from Jackson, Tennessee. in the section about his youth it says he was born in southeast Missouri Which is it? --98.23.135.127 (talk) 09:13, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

He was born in southeast Missouri but married and settled down in Jackson, Tennessee. He lived the bulk of his life in Jackson. He considered it his home. When he died he was still living in Jackson, Tennessee. Hence, he is considered as being FROM Jackson, Tennessee. I don't consider myself as being "from" the city I was born, but the one I am living in now. Homedepotov (talk) 18:46, 9 September 2009 (UTC)

Doesn't the article say he grew up near Cayce, KY? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.181.160.60 (talk) 00:21, 14 December 2011 (UTC)

Age at first employment

In the Beginnings section, Jones's age in 1878 is listed as 15, but I don't think that matches up with his date of birth. I think he can only have been 13 or 14 then. Stu 02:02, 21 May 2006 (UTC)

It's a match. he was born in 1863. 206.255.97.67 (talk) 23:09, 16 September 2009 (UTC)

Casey Jones in Gillian Welch's songs

Maybe one should add that in two pretty well known songs by Gillian Welch there is a reference to Casey Jones; not necessarily as a hero, but maybe just as someone who moved fast.

=="S" Curve Innacuracy"

The text referenced Casey entering the last part of an "S" curve. In reality, the wreck location (north switch at Vaughn Siding) was nearly in the middle of a 1.5 mile long, 0'30" curve. North of this curve, the track is straight for approximately 5 miles to the north back to the curve at Pickens. REB281 (talk) 03:54, 20 December 2007 (UTC)

Brakes

This mentions that Jones possibly saved lives by riding the brake into the accident, but http://www.watervalley.net/users/caseyjones/casey.htm notes that once the e-brake is set you don't need to hold it anymore. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 75.18.173.136 (talk • contribs) 17:46, September 23, 2006.

The article says "When alerted to the danger Casey doubtless reacted instinctively, pulling on the brakes, throwing the engine in reverse, and dumping the sanders. He knew he had to stay with the engine, and do everything he could to slow it down, which involved continually dumping sand and applying and reapplying the brakes, otherwise lives would have been lost. The air brakes when applied are virtually instantaneous for the 6 car train. But on this night the rails were wet, reducing surface traction and braking ability. If Casey had pulled on the brakes and then jumped, the wheels would have slid along the rails and actually increased in speed like a sled rather than slowing down. With him at the controls, he could apply and release the brakes to slow the engine more quickly, while dumping sand on the tracks all the while, and thus not putting the train into a slide. This puts to rest the myth that Casey could have applied the brakes once and jumped to safety with a clear conscience." What is the source for Jones applying and releasing the brakes repeatedly? He was not driving a car, where it used to be (before antilock brakes) a good practice to pump the brakes. Train brakes do not work that fast. I have read an account by fireman Webb wherein there is no mention of Jones releasing and reapplying the brakes. Is this text sourced or is it conjecture? See "The Commercial Appeal" Title: CASEY STORY ALIVE AND CHUGGING \ 100-YEAR-OLD CRASH RECALLED. Author: Bill Dries The Commercial Appeal ate: April 30, 2000 Section: Metro Page: B1 which quotes a 1937 interview of Webb by journalist Ernie Pyle. Webb just said Jones applied the brakes. If he came around a curve and saw the stopped train, how much time did he have, and how long would it take to apply and release the brakes? Why would the train have gained speed (contrary to Newton's laws of motion) while sliding to a stop? (was it downhill?)Edison 00:13, 2 August 2007 (UTC)

I have pulled the controversial paragraph until I can provide better documentation for its claims. But I am sure that the wheels would hydroplane badly on the wet rails and that repeat application of the brakes would be needed. This is info I got from some veteran railroaders/Casey Jones buffs (one of whom is a conductor of a working steam engine) who have discussed the famous wreck in-depth. Sim Webb would not be aware of any repeated braking as he jumped very shortly after sighting the red lights of the looming caboose. I have tried my best to be fair and accurate in stating the facts. His speed in coming into Vaughan is now reported as being 75 mph, not 70 mph as a previous writer stated and I changed that to 75 mph. I also quashed the myth of "Ole 382" being Casey's assigned engine (it wasn't). And I added the sentence about his 9 citations and 145 days total suspension as well. So there has been no conscious burnishing of his legend in my case. But I did want to give him a "brake" based on the info I received. I know it conflicts with the Water Valley Museum which believes that he braked once. I need to find out what SOP for emergency braking was in these cases. Thanks for your interest in this matter.