Engine Caught Fire At Tehachapi And Santa Fe's Fine Train Endangered

The Santa Fe overland limited west bound had a very narrow escape from destruction yesterday at noon at the Tehachapi depot. That the entire train of elegant Pullman coaches and the town of Tehachapi were not wiped out of existence was due to good fortune and hard work on the part of railroad men and citizens of the town. That no one was killed or even hurt is strange indeed. But such is the fact. The train reached Bakersfield, but more that two hours late yesterday evening, after its experience on the mountain, the passengers none the worse for their fright.

The Depot at Tehachapi Also Destroyed - Fire Started on Oil Burning Engine of Limited - S.P. Engine Saves Train

[Special Dispatch to "Echo"]

TEHACHAPI, February 22 – At 12:20 p.m. today, immediately after the Santa Fe Limited train No. 3 stopped here, a dense cloud of smoke was seen from the front of the depot, instantly followed by a sheet of flames. Officers, employees, trainmen and others were seen crowding each other through the rear windows, hatless and coatless.

The fuel oil in the engine tender had in some unaccountable manner become ignited. The engine is No. 1098 and was in charge of Engineer Wallace and Fireman Bolby, with Conductor Hawes in charge of the train. Luckily another engine was in the yard and it was coupled to the rear of the train, which was all pulled a safe distance except a combination mail and express car.