Image from: https://www.houdini.org/houdinirr.html
According to the September 1954 National Police Gazette article in my collection titled, “How Houdini Did It”, by Walter Gibson:
In Germany, Houdini undertook a death race with the Berlin-Dresden Express. He allowed himself to be lashed to the railroad track, a few miles outside Dresden, exactly 15 minutes outside Dresden, exactly 15 minutes before the train was due, picking a spot where the crowd could watch him.
Houdini had first tested this escape and was sure he could perform it in ample time. In fact, he was running so well ahead of schedule that he was beginning to stall for time, when the express suddenly appeared around the bend. It was running ahead of schedule too!
“I had just freed my hands.” related Houdini, “and was working to release my feet, which were tied to the other rail. I couldn’t get them free, but as the train thundered closer, I managed to gain enough slack to throw my body over the far side of track and pull my feet, still bound, down beside the rail. The wheels of the locomotive missed me by mere inches and cut the ropes instead.”
This happened on the side of the track away from the onlookers. After the express roared by, they looked in horror for Houdini’s mangled body. To their amazement, he arose beyond the track and gave the ropes a triumphant toss.
Believe it or Not!
BTW: Houdini was in Dresden Germany in September 1900 and October 1903.
Bonus:
Image from: Who Is Houdini? by Fred Lockley Photoplay, June 1920 HHCE Collection
Wonderful Joe! You cracked that train track rope escape in Germany! A newspaper account would seal the deal. I doubt Harry would do this stunt like this without a news reporter along with him to write it up.
Great stuff Joe. Gibson seems to be the only source for this story, but him locating it in Dresden is great. To find some newspaper account would be terrific. But that’s the Germany problem. I’m convinced Houdini did all kinds of things in Germany that we don’t know about because all the newspaper accounts would be in German! Where is our hardcore German Houdini nut who can suss these out? It’s a HUGE blindspot in Houdini history.
If I had to bet, I’d say this would have been the Sept 1900 Dresden engagement. This was Houdini’s first time in Germany and he would have been looking to generate publicity. But the German police where probably not going to cooperate with station house handcuff escape. In Kellock it says Houdini did his first bridge jump at this time. That’s another stunt I’ve never been able to confirm. But it all makes sense, doesn’t it? He’s trying various outside stunts.
Come on German friends! Someone go check out newspapers in Dresden for the month of September 1900 (HH was there the entire month). Not only might you find this train track escape, but you might also find his first bridge jump!