This cache is part of a series of caches dedicated to the reminiscence and admiration of Roseville’s early dwellers. It is part of a series called: CACHE OUT IN ROSEVILLE
It was the morning of April 27th, 1973. What started out as a peaceful Saturday morning quickly turned into a series of explosions that would wreak havoc on the Roseville Southern Pacific Rail Yard and adjoining area for the next 32 hours.
“It was a hot wheel that caused it,” explained the locomotive engineer. The wheel overheating led to sparks which initially set the oak floors of the railcar on fire. That fire soon set other cars ablaze. That is when the 7000 MK-81 bombs that the Naval Ammunition train was transporting en route to the port of Concord, and headed for Vietnam, became dangerously hot and started the chain reaction explosions.
The bombs in the railcar weighed 250 lbs each . . . . . there were thousands of them on board. Each bomb was armed with 90 lbs of explosives (but were said to be lacking the two fuses necessary to detonate). However, they did ignite --- in a massive disaster that destroyed the rail yard, leaving it riddled with craters. Throughout the day, thousands of explosions – both large and small -- continued to rock the area. A number of railroad workers were thrown up to 100 feet or more. And many other people were also injured, but it was a miracle that no one died. Countless buildings, homes, and businesses were damaged or destroyed – from Roseville to Antelope to Citrus Heights. There were fences blown down, lots of windows broken, and fiery shrapnel flying everywhere.
Confusion and panic began to set in, with people hurrying to find cover. Others were wondering if it was really an accident. Shockwaves were felt in Sacramento, causing the State Capitol (17 miles away) to be shut down in order to protect visitors from any falling debris.
After this accident, there were new laws passed, requiring that all railroad wheels have non-sparking brake shoes and spark shields installed. Congress also passed the Transportation Safety Act, which implemented numerous regulations and safety protocol, making all parties involved in transporting hazardous materials more accountable. This cache, “A BLAST FROM THE PAST”, remembers this event, complete with a view of the railroad yard. (“Roseville Railyard Explosion Revisited”, by J’aime Rubio, Press Tribune Correspondent)