Train explosion remembered

The Sierra College Friends of the Library will present an illustrated lecture called "Roseville — April 28, 1973" by retired Southern Pacific Conductor Walt Wilson Wednesday, April 13 at Sierra College.Wilson will talk about this date in history when an ammunition train explosion destroyed much of the Roseville rail yard and sent debris flying for miles into surrounding neighborhoods. The train had 103 cars — 21 of which contained bombs — and arrived at the Antelope receiving yards in Roseville at 6:30 a.m. About 300 bombs per car, or 7,000 total, were being transported over Donner Summit on their way to the Navy Depot in the San Francisco Bay Area.At around 8 a.m., the bombs started exploding. The massive explosions sent huge plumes of smoke rising into the air, destroyed buildings, mangled rail sections and left huge craters in the ground. Windows were shattered four miles away.Thousands of people gathered on nearby roads and Interstate 80 to view the event. Around 50 people were injured but no deaths occurred.Wilson will present photos and eyewitness accounts of the event. ~ Staff report----------"Roseville — April 28, 1973" by Walt WilsonWhen: 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 13. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.Where: Room LRC 212, 2nd floor of the Library/Learning Resource Center on Sierra College campus, 5000 Rocklin Road in RocklinCost: General admission donation of $5 suggested. Students are free. Proceeds benefit Sierra College Friends of the LibraryInfo: Parking permits are required on campus and may be purchased for $2 at parking permit dispensers. For more information, call (916) 660-7202.