Wrecks and disasters have been part of New
England's railroad history since the 1830s. Derailments, head-on
collisions, equipment failures, and human error all contributed to the
tragic list of events between 1853 and 1966.
Forever etched in the public's memory is the horrific bridge disaster
at South Norwalk, Connecticut - the deadliest railroad event to occur
in the region that claimed forty-six lives. The catastrophic rear-end
collision at Revere, Massachusetts, and the head-on crash of the Quebec
Express in West Canaan, New Hampshire are among the eighteen wrecks
explored herein.
Renowned railroad author Gregg M. Turner details the deadliest rail
disasters across six states, their causes and some of the safety
improvements they inspired.
