Bad Weekend

When airplanes crash, pilot error or faulty maintenance usually takes the blame for the spectacular carnage. In train wrecks, generally less lethal, the same factors apply. Last week:

P:Near Maxville, Fla., the Seaboard Air Line Railroad's northbound Orange Blossom Special hit a split rail with a speed that sent six sleepers and the diner skidding on their streamlined sides. Reason: bad maintenance. Injured: 50.

P:Sixteen hours later, a fast-moving New York, New Haven & Hartford freight left the rails at the pivotal switching point at Stamford, Conn., ended up with 30 cars strewn across four main-line tracks, tying up New York-bound traffic. Injured: 1.

P:Twenty-five hours later, a Long Island Railroad passenger special hit an open (hand-operated) switch at Kings Park, L.I., promptly folded itself into a herringbone plait. Injured: 48.

P:As the new week began, the Chicago South Shore and South Bend's westbound No. 26 ploughed into a busload of section hands at the Andry crossing, 20 miles from South Bend, killing 13, injuring 16.

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