Short summary of photos taken of July 17, 1981 rail derailment in Truckee of Southern Pacific 45-car train
Description: Donor took these photos immediately after the July 17, 1981 derailment. To see the complete screenshot set of images taken by Osborne, see this larger pdf version.
Photographer/artist: Lee Osborne, donor
Date taken: July 17, 1981
Photo location: Truckee
Type: photo
Subject: Derailment
County:
Source: TDHS Collection
References:
Contributor: Lee Osborne
Notes: HCS 1/30/2025. Screenshots of photos scanned by COM Jan 2025 of July 17, 1981 Truckee Train Derailment. Donated by Lee
Osborne, then Nevada County Sheriff’s Detective.
An eastbound Southern Pacific freight train derailed in Truckee on July 17, 1981. One trainman, Larry Stotts,
32, suffered smoke inhalation after helping to extinguish a diesel fuel fire under one of the boxcars. Two large
cranes were used to lift the 225-ton engines and 100-ton derailed produce cars back onto the track. There
were 4 engines and 11 refrigerated freight cars that derailed. The derailment caused major damage to
California State Route 267 temporarily forcing its closure. The derailment occurred just south of Donner Pass
Road and the highway, blocking one of the busiest intersections in the Sierra Nevada rail center. There were 8
hour delays for some 100 passengers headed to Sacramento. The 45-car train was carrying produce from the
Salinas Valley to Chicago. Lee Osborne was the Nevada County Sheriff's Detective who witnessed the accident
from across the street. Truckee's Sheriff’s office ordered 1,500 residents to immediately evacuate because of
the derailment, but canceled the order 8 minutes later after it was determined there were no gas leaks.
At least a dozen articles chronicled the derailment which include:
Reno Gazette-Journal, Fri., July 17, 1981, p. 1; The Sacramento Bee, Fri., July 17, 1981, p. 11; Reno Gazette-Journal, Fri., July 17, 1981, p. 2; Camarillo Star, Fr., July 17, 1981, p. 18; Auburn Journal, Fri., July 17, 1981, p. 1; The Press-Tribune, Fri, July 17, 1981, p. 1; Desert Dispatch, Fri, July 17, 1981, p. 2; The Sacramento Bee, Sat., July 18, 1981, p. 9; and
Santa Maria Times Sat. July 18, 1981, p. 18.
Notable car numbers pictured in the images in the derailment include: Pacific Fruit Express, Southern Pacific
car no. 9311, Cotton Belt Car no. 9392 Roseville 5, car no. 9374. Lots of mangled cars and rail steel and cars
turned on their side.
