The east-bound train, Burlington No. 12 pulled by Steam Engine No. 804, was maintaining a speed of 35 mph. The crew consisted of: Engineer John Hyder, Fireman W.J. Damron of Lincoln, Conductor F. Fank, Brakeman Carl Neubauer, Flagman Gus Chipman, Baggageman Gean Smith, Express Messenger E. Freer, Cream Messenger Ray Cook of McCook, Ticket Agent, Jim Boldman of Indianola.

The west-bound passenger train, Burlington No. 9 being pulled by Steam Engine No. 2825, was traveling at a faster speed of 50 mph. This was the No. 9's first trip from Chicago. Its crew: Engineer Con Layhue, Fireman Bill Huett of Lincoln, Conductor George Willets, Brakeman Darue Burnett, Flagman Major Snyder of McCook.

The trains were traveling between the towns of McCook and Indianola in an area known as Red Willow County. A heavy fog had settled across the landscape, creating very poor visibility.

Ray Lyons was the new Operator at the McCook train yard, this being his first day on the job. For some reason, Mr. Lyons neglected to give the train order to Burlington No. 12 that it would meet Burlington No. 9 in Red Willow that morning.

At 6:40 a.m., the two passenger trains collided head on in the dense fog. Wooden coach cars splintered on impact and many people were scalded by the steam pipes running the length of each coach car to heat them.

A relief train was sent out from McCook to transport the injured and dead. One local physician was put in charge of treating the traumatized passengers. The dead passengers, numbering 23, were taken to McCook while the 40 injured passengers were taken to hospitals in Holdredge, Hastings and Lincoln. The city of Indianola ran out of food and closed their schools due to the estimated 5,000 spectators flocking to their area.

The derailment photos were taken by the train crew and the information about the derailment was provided by the No. 12's brakeman, Carl Neubauer. The No. 12's fireman, W.J. Damron, did not survive the collision. Among the passengers who died was H.H. Culbertson and his wife, who were on their honeymoon.

The new railroad operator, Ray Lyons, who'd failed to notify Burlington No. 12 about meeting Burlington No.9 at Red Willow that fateful morning, left his home town of McCook when he heard about the derailment. A week later, unable to live with what happened, Mr. Lyons committed suicide.

This train derailment was the first derailment in the United States to be investigated by the Interstate Commerce Commission.