This is a true story that just happened!
For years theres been a local rumor about an old train wreck in a local lake (the actual lake changes frequently) where there are 2 cars loaded with Model A (sometimes Model T) Fords. The legend goes on to say that the cars were packed in grease, so the finder of the wreck would be the owner of a fortunes worth of perfectly preserved antique cars.
Its urban legend.
Or is it?
A few hours ago I got a call from a 75 year old man who said he found the train wreck 25 years ago and is now finally willing to tell someone where it is. Really, I say. Yes, he says, and hes willing to give me a detailed map.
So I drive right over to his house.
Did I say, house? Actually he lives in a trailer.
With some cats (Im not sure how many).
The guy was dirty and sun-wrinkled and somehow managed to dance a 2-inch long ash on the end of the cigarette that dangled from his mouth as he spoke. I went into his trailer, moved some junk off of a linoleum chair and sat down. Were having a heat way here, and the small window A/C unit blasted furiously, bringing the air temp down to, maybe 98F. Between the stiffening heat and the smell of the cigarette and the cats and the old food, it was hard to breathe. But I was willing to stick it out for the sake of the train wreck.
Doug showed me the map he had scratched out with a blue pen on a yellow legal pad.
Its right here, he said, tapping the X hed marked.
How deep is it? I asked.
Fifty feet. I sent two divers down to the cars 25 years ago, but they got scared from the dark.
Did they see the train cars?
Nope.
Has anyone ever seen the train cars?
Nope. You and your team would be the first. At some point while we talked, he managed to light another smoke from the butt of the first.
How did you find the wreck? I asked.
With my divining rod.
Your what?
Divining rod. Its just a coat hanger bent into a Y shape. You hold the ends and the rod dances when youre over water.
But, the entire lake is water.
When youre over water, it points at large metal objects.
Ah. Like train wrecks.
Exactly.
Who gave you my phone number, by the way?
He said the name of the owner of my LDS. Figures.
I politely thanked him and excused myself. Gotta' go. See ya.
As I was leaving, he said, All I ask, when you bring up all those Model As, I want one of them.
You got it, Doug.
As soon as I got in my truck I called the LDS. The owner saw my caller ID, picked up the phone and just laughed. In the background, I could really hear the crew yucking it up. Guess they thought that was pretty funny.
So the famous train wreck full of Model Ts remains a legend.
Anyone else have any local diving urban legends youd like to share?
For years theres been a local rumor about an old train wreck in a local lake (the actual lake changes frequently) where there are 2 cars loaded with Model A (sometimes Model T) Fords. The legend goes on to say that the cars were packed in grease, so the finder of the wreck would be the owner of a fortunes worth of perfectly preserved antique cars.
Its urban legend.
Or is it?
A few hours ago I got a call from a 75 year old man who said he found the train wreck 25 years ago and is now finally willing to tell someone where it is. Really, I say. Yes, he says, and hes willing to give me a detailed map.
So I drive right over to his house.
Did I say, house? Actually he lives in a trailer.
With some cats (Im not sure how many).
The guy was dirty and sun-wrinkled and somehow managed to dance a 2-inch long ash on the end of the cigarette that dangled from his mouth as he spoke. I went into his trailer, moved some junk off of a linoleum chair and sat down. Were having a heat way here, and the small window A/C unit blasted furiously, bringing the air temp down to, maybe 98F. Between the stiffening heat and the smell of the cigarette and the cats and the old food, it was hard to breathe. But I was willing to stick it out for the sake of the train wreck.
Doug showed me the map he had scratched out with a blue pen on a yellow legal pad.
Its right here, he said, tapping the X hed marked.
How deep is it? I asked.
Fifty feet. I sent two divers down to the cars 25 years ago, but they got scared from the dark.
Did they see the train cars?
Nope.
Has anyone ever seen the train cars?
Nope. You and your team would be the first. At some point while we talked, he managed to light another smoke from the butt of the first.
How did you find the wreck? I asked.
With my divining rod.
Your what?
Divining rod. Its just a coat hanger bent into a Y shape. You hold the ends and the rod dances when youre over water.
But, the entire lake is water.
When youre over water, it points at large metal objects.
Ah. Like train wrecks.
Exactly.
Who gave you my phone number, by the way?
He said the name of the owner of my LDS. Figures.
I politely thanked him and excused myself. Gotta' go. See ya.
As I was leaving, he said, All I ask, when you bring up all those Model As, I want one of them.
You got it, Doug.
As soon as I got in my truck I called the LDS. The owner saw my caller ID, picked up the phone and just laughed. In the background, I could really hear the crew yucking it up. Guess they thought that was pretty funny.
So the famous train wreck full of Model Ts remains a legend.
Anyone else have any local diving urban legends youd like to share?
