The Legend of Casey Jones

This is a short documentary about the life and death of Casey Jones, a famous railroad engineer who died in a train wreck in 1900. Casey gave his life to save his passengers, and became the subject of a well-known folk song. This documentary dramatizes the crash, and the events leading up to it, using models and practical effects to bring the scenes to life.

I've been working on this video for over 2 months, and it's by far the most ambitious project I've ever attempted for this channel. While I was hoping to release it on April 30, the anniversary of the wreck, life got in the way and I didn't manage to finish it by then. The reason I decided to do this was because I haven't been able to find any film re-creations of Casey's actual wreck, so I decided to try and make one myself, and it only made sense to build a full video around it, covering Casey's life and cultural impact.

[Terrys-Steam-and-Bricks]

Michael. Very impressive and well done. 😊 I loved the crash sequence. It was creatively composed. I loved it all! After the snippets of your telling me about your planning, and seeing the sneak peek of your modified loco running on my loop (it matches the real one admirably - and I can say so as I’ve seen it in person), I can finally fully appreciate your effort. 👍

[daeone]

Im 31, and I'm just discovering this guy today. This guy was suppose to BEEN my hero.

[ericjr.]

Being shown the derailment using models is great so the story and description that SIM Webb gives about the accident and heroism of Casey Jones and although the accident was pretty bad only Casey Jones died and may he be remember for years to come since it has been 123 years since the crash but the folk lore legend will never be forgotten

[shaqtus]

Great video and very informative. Interestingly, there is another legend like that of Casey Jones on the Mexican Railroad, it is of the Mexican Brakeman Jesús García. In 1907 he was at a station when he realized that a freight car full of dynamite had caught fire due to the locomotives smokebox failing and letting sparks escape the locomotive so he jumped onto the train and reversed the train out of the small mining town that it had stopped at. He was killed in the resulting explosion but he saved the lives of many in the small mining town and he is a revered national hero in Mexican culture.

[conductorzen]

I absolutely love the miniature shots in this, it adds a lot of charm to the documentary.

[KnapfordMaster]

Incredible cinematography on the model re-enactment. Excellent in its own right but it REALLY does feel like an old 1950s movie.

[jeremysladek]

The man was a TRUE HERO! He died😢 remaining at the controls to save as many people as he could. He stayed KNOWING he was going to die. He deserves a Hollywood movie.

[QueenMaryStan]

I absolutely love the crash scene! Aside for a few errors here and there, this video is great and underated

[georgewolf]

Hey, Michael! I've loved trains for longer than I can remember, thanks to my grandparents. As a kid, my dad told me about Casey Jones, and I still have my first book about him! Casey was one of the biggest reasons I continued loving trains. It brings me great joy to know he still gets love and respect from rail fans today! The wreck scene you orchestrated was just detailed enough and dramatic enough to make my heart catch in my throat, especially when coupled with that audio recording of Sim's account of that fateful morning. Thank you for making this!

[WesternOhioInterurbanHistory]

This is one of the best, if not the best Casey Jones documentry ever made. Its so well made, the scene leading up to the wreck with G-scale models, and the wreck itself is amazingly flimed. Awesome work!

[davidwhite]

Thanks for that Michael.I used to watch Casey Jones on tv when I was a boy.A legend in my eyes.

[GP_Foamer]

This was definitely the best documentary on Casey Jones that I’ve ever seen! That crash scene was incredible!

[danconlin]

Well told. Nice use of Webb's account. The G Scale model shots a surprisingly effective. Impressive lighting!

[shaunbolton]

Excellent video, Michael! Love the G scale miniature work- the wreck scene is a real highlight!

[Harrisonidk]

Wow that crash scene was beautiful done, amazing documentary Michael!

[ericemmons]

If I remember correctly, from a Trains Magazine article of a few years ago, there were a total of 5 trains that had taken sidings at or in close proximity to Vaughn. There were 2 trains on the one siding approaching Vaughn from the north, and in total they were too long for the siding, meaning that they would have to do some maneuvering to let Casey's train pass. I believe the northbound train had the broken air hose, meaning that it couldn't move and let the southbound train into the siding to permit Casey's train to pass. Had Casey been moving slower, as he should have been, knowing, I'm pretty sure, that he would be meeting other trains at Vaughn, he could have stopped in time and found a way to move the errant freight cars out of the way. It was, as at least one other person in this comment section has pointed out, a needless tragedy.

[caseyjones]

Great compilation of a lot of information. The simulation was a very good illustration of the story. Thank you.

[DivergingClear]

A few corrections:

Casey was born in Missouri and his family moved to Cayce when he was young.

Casey was assigned #384. #382 was assigned to Sam Tate, whose job Casey doubled back on. That's right, he wrecked his colleague's engine!

In 1912, the former #382 (then renumbered #2012) was pulling the train that was rear-ended at Kinmundy, Illinois. The train that hit #2012's stopped train was pulled by a newer and faster Pacific.

Also, the "382" photo shown later in the video was modified from a photo of a sister engine that I created for a story in an online article I was writing about 15 years ago.

Good job!

Mary McPherson
Diverging Clear Productions

[timreisel]

Outstanding video! Thank you. Two comments: A narrative I read as a child mentioned that 'topedoes' had been set on the tracks by the crew of the freight train that were set off by #382 en passant as a warning of trouble ahead. Also, our household has a davenport featuring the exact same fabric as your chair.

[dennismcgough]

This is an excellent video. You cover the Casey Jones story very well! Nice work!