THE GREAT TRAIN WRECK OF 1887 AND THE RAILROADS OF HARTFORD

Presented by: Phil Rentz of the New England Transportation Museum. The Great Train Wreck of 1887 was the biggest Train Disaster of it's time.  As the Montrealer left White River Junction the evening of Feb 5 the temperature was very cold. In crossing the White River between Hartford & West Hartford villages, the engine and first car made it over, but the rest of the train came off the tracks and fell into the frigid waters of the river. The gas lights soon ignited the cars, many folks lost their lives and the bridge was totally destroyed. It was a Front-Page Story in the Boston & New York papers for several days. There will be a Powerpoint presentation and refreshments.