Mebane NC Rail Accident (2010)

"'To whom it concerns, we are announcing our iconic City of Raleigh was the train involved in the crash in Mebane a few months ago, and our effort in repairing her was unsuccessful and it has come to this, she has been retired and will be scrapped starting tomorrow. We should be expecting several new engines by late next year.' - Announcement on 1792's retirement."On May 13, 2010 at around 7:45 AM, a Lowboy Truck driver ignored a "Low Vehicles May Drag" sign, while passing an infamous rail crossing. This led to the oldest and sole surviving GP Piedmont's demise.

Background
Earlier that day, Piedmont 1792 City of Raleigh, leading several repainted coaches, was heading southbound, believably in route to Charlotte NC.

Meanwhile, a lowboy trailer with an excavator had been crossing through Mebane, heading towards the infamous crossing.

Disaster
The trailer had gotten stuck on the infamous crossing. Many attempts at moving the trailer failed. Not long after, the crossing's gates began to lower, indicating an on-coming train.The driver of the truck had fled, and watched in horror as the locomotive attempted to brake.

The locomotive slammed into the trailer, tossing the excavator off the flatbed, flipping it over, driving onto it and derailing. The locomotive had burst into flames upon impact. Thankfully, the fire department wasn't too far away, and were able to stop the flames not long after.

The flames had already spread to the first coach, igniting the chairs and being put out nearly 3 minutes after. The roof of that coach was punctured by the excavator claw.

Aftermath
It took 2 hours for the locomotive to be removed from the rails by a Norfolk Southern. During the process, the windows and cab interior collapsed, the locomotive was in danger of falling apart completely. 9 hours later, the wreckage was cleaned up, although the soil was contaminated by fuel and flames.

The locomotive had repairs attempted, the engine flaps that burst open from impact had been sealed shut, the windows were repaired, and the cab was emptied. The locomotive was deemed a total loss, unfortunately, as the frame was dented, which is a death sentence towards locomotives.

The generators and engines were removed in September, immediately after the retirement announcing. In 2011, the engine began to be dismantled. The salvageable and unburnt metal was repainted and sold, and eventually, everything except the whistle and bell were salvaged.

The whistle is on display via storage, the bell is on display of a tribute fountain to the locomotive.