The True Story of Casey Jones

One of the most famous railroad stories is about John Luther Jones also known as Casey Jones. One April night "he mounted to the cabin with his orders in his hands, and took his farewell trip to the promise land." But is the famous song about his death true to life? Read this to find out.

Before we begin I want to make something straight. I do not dislike this song, but actually I like it.

Now we can get started.

I found a couple of problems with the song. First, he did not drive a six-eight wheeler. His engine, I.C.R.R number 382, was actually a 4-6-0, a common engine of that time. Second in the song he "turned to to fireman, said boy you better jump, 'cause there's two locomotives that are going to bump." But what really happened was that he was going around a curve when he saw a stopped train that did not send out a flagman on the track. It was too late he plowed right in to the stalled train. Third, in the song said that he was "8 hours late with the western mail" but really he was driving the cannonball express, a fast passenger train on that route.

But with all it's problems I still like and listen to the song of that famous throttle jerker.