If you believe the blub under this video on YouTube, this version of Wreck of the Old ’97 by Vernon Dalhart, was the first million selling record in the United States. The Old 97, officially known as the Fast Mail, derailed at Stillhouse Trestle near Danville Virginia on September 27, 1903. The Engineer, Steve Broady, was just 33. He was trying to make up time. See, the Fast Mail had a reputation to live up to. It was never late.

There is some controversy about who wrote the tune. Dalhart’s version from 1924 was not the first recording of the tune, but likely the first recording with the lyrics as we know them today.

Well they gave him his orders at Monroe Virginia

sayin’ Steve you’re way behind time
This is not 38 this is old 97
you must put her into Spencer on time

Then he turned around and said to his black greasy fireman
shovel on a little more coal
And when we cross that White Oak Mountain
watch old 97 roll

But it’s a mighty rough road from Lynchburg to Danville
With a line on a three mile grade
It was on that grade that he lost his air brakes
see what a jump he made

He was goin’ down the grade makin’ 90 miles an hour
his whistle broke into a scream
He was found in the wreck with his hand on the throttle
A scalded to death by the steam

Then the telegram come to Washington station
and this is how it read
Oh that brave engineer that run old 97
he’s a layin’ in old Danville dead

So now all you ladies you better take a warnin’
from this time on and learn
Never speak harsh words to your true lovin’ husband
He may leave you and never return

This happens to be my favourite train wreck song. In fact, it’s one of my very favourite train songs period. These days, people don’t write so many train songs. Even the car song is becoming a lost art. Since Mr. Dalhart’s recording, this song has been recorded by just about everybody.