waverly train explosion memorial museum

The memorial was a lovely way to honor those lost in Feb. of 1978. Waverly TN loos a lot of it's residents including their Fire and Police Chief's in the explosion. The way that flammable liquids are moved by train changed after this event. If it is locked when you arrive just call the local police they are happy to come and open it for you. Their number in on the door.

This is just a small caboose with alot of history about the explosion that happened. Makes you feel sad to see all the names of the people killed in this

On Feb 24 1978 I was working at a small gas station in Dickson TN, I looked up from counting some change out to see a large mushroom cloud topped by a fireball climb into the sky. It was a warmish day with some snow still on the ground with clear blue skys. I pointed out the still climbing spectacle to a customer and asked 'what is that?' -'Looks like an atom bomb went off' was the answer.Within 20 minutes I started hearing the first reports on the radio of an 'explosion' in Waverly, my cousin went to school there and thoughts turned to him. Shortly thereafter medevac choppers started flying over followed shortly by many ambulances and emergency vehicles.word started coming in that part of the town was destroyed. Later that evening some friends and I drove there to see if we could assist but were turned away. That is a day I will always remember.I've stopped by the memorial a few times when visiting, a nice touch and a nice town. But it always brings back those memories. Russ Donegan

It's an interesting place for a short stop. Well maintained. The historical markers do a nice job of describing the catastrophe which took place here and it's location adjacent to the tracks make it easy to visualize the scene. I enjoyed the learning experience! It is 12 miles off I-40 on scenic Hwy 13 at US 70. By all means go if you can spare the time!

This is a museum with much more than meets the eye. When you first see it, this appears to be only another caboose museum on the side of a railroad. But actually it's a very moving memorial to a huge tragedy. Inside you will find photos, videos, first-hand accounts and official analysis of a train disaster that changed the way rail accidents were handled nationwide. On Feb. 24, 1978, a derailed tank car containing liquefied petroleum gas exploded. The resulting fire killed 16 people in Waverly, injured 43 more and nearly destroyed the downtown area. Twenty-three cars of the train actually derailed on Feb. 22. It was two days before attempts to unload any of the cars took place, and actually never did. Crews were just arriving to do it when the tanker exploded. The tank car had been lifted up and propped on the side of another derailed car, so crews could reopen the tracks. The tank car was checked often for leaks. Then two days later something set off the explosion. The propped-up tank car shot into downtown Waverly like a rocket, spewing fire over a large area. Fire units from as far away as Nashville, and into Kentucky responded. What may sound like a list of errors in judgement in handling the situation was actually approved operational procedures in 1978. This disaster caused all of that to change. If you go, take time to learn about the people involved, see the exhibits and view the monument on the outside of the museum. The caboose today sits in the exact spot the ruptured tank car sat in on that day in 1978. Directions: When traveling along U.S. 70 through Waverly, you will see a huge overpass. This will be Tenn. 13. The caboose museum is just to the east of, and almost under, that overpass. While traveling, U.S. 70, turn at the first railroad crossing east of the Tenn. 13 overpass, then turn back west on Railroad Street. The caboose is easily seen from U.S. 70, but a fence, and the railroad, prevents direct access from this highway.