Artist: George Reneau
Author: traditional
Label: Vocalion
Year: 1924
Covers:
Charles Lewis Stine [as The Wreck On The C&O]
Ernest V. Stoneman [as The Wreck Of The C&O (George Alley)]
Roy Harvey [as The Brave Engineer]
Carter Family [as Engine 143; ended up on the Anthology of American Folk Music]
Bradley Kincaid [as The Wreck On The C&O Road]
Joan Baez [as Engine 143]
Dave Van Ronk [same melody in Georgie And The IRT]
Flatt & Scruggs [as George Alley's F.F.V.]
Annie Watson [Doc's mother as The F.F.V.]
Johnny Cash [as Engine 143]
Doc Watson [as The F.F.V. with Merle Watson]
Townes Van Zandt [idem]
Dave Alvin [idem]
Ramblin' Jack Elliott [idem]
Ralph Stanley [idem]
Norman Blake [as The Wreck On The C&O]
The facts: Train conductor George Alley was killed when his F.F.V. (Fast Flying Vestibule or Fast Flying Virginian), a train with locomotive n° 134 (sic), crashed on the C&O line, October 23, 1890. He was the only casualty. Cause of the accident: an avalanche near Don, Virginia. Morality: shit happens. See also: Casey Jones.
If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
please let me know:
Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)