A Southern Pacific train derailed in Lerdo, CA in January 1947. Five or six people died in this accident, while 27 were injured. 25 people were taken to Kern County Hospital and two to Mercy Hospital. The Southern Pacific Owl No. 58 had left San Francisco at 6:30PM the prior evening and was to arrive in Los Angeles at 8:25AM. six ambulances were sent to the accident scene.

Seven passenger cars of the 15-car train remained upright. Southern Pacific officials said the train carried approximately 200 passengers. A porter on one of the overturned coaches, said most of the injured were in one of the coaches which completely left its trucks and hurtled into a potato field.

Larry Calderwood, BHS Class of 1956, provided photos of the SP Train Wreck in Lerdo from his father. His father worked for Southern Pacific for 40 years.