Stay on track and listen to “Wreck of the Old 97” from 900 Miles and other R.R. Songs in memory of the wreck of the train in 1903. Racing to make up time, the “Old 97” derailed at Stillhouse Trestle near Danville, Virginia en route from Monroe, Virginia to Spencer, North Carolina. Joseph “Steve” Broadey, the engineer of the train, which was known for never being late, is referenced in the lyrics of the song as a victim of pressure from the company’s policy of promptness, “Saying, ‘Steve, you’re way behind time! This is not 38 but old 97. You must put her into Danville on time.” Memory of this particular train wreck is likely due in most part to this song, given that train wrecks were not uncommon at that time. This version of the song was recorded by Cisco Houston in 1953, but commercial recordings were first made in 1924 (first by Grayson and Whitter, then by Dalhart in the same year), although original authorship is still in question.
