Did you know that the most disastrous train wreck in the United States took place right here in Tennessee? Yeah, it’s a bit shocking. And terrible. And extremely interesting to research. Back in the day when trains were the fastest form of transportation and safety was a little bit…well, cast to the side. Here’s the heartbreaking true story of the Great Train Wreck of 1918.
Wikipedia It was a heated day in early July, 1918 when two passenger trains collided head-on in Nashville, Tennessee. They were operated by NC&StL, the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway. 101 people lost their lives.
AwesomeStories.com Both trains were scheduled to leave for Memphis, when they collided on a single stretch of railway in the area that is now Bell Meade, and was then known as Dutchman’s Curve. With passenger trains mainly made of wood, and safety restraints not necessary at the time, the intensity of the impact effectively disintegrated the passenger cars. Along with the dead, another 171 were wounded.
Gendisasters.com Who’s to blame, when two trains traveling over fifty miles an hour hit each other head on? The Interstate Commerce Commission stated the problem lay with the crew of train no. 4, as well as tower operators who did not effectively track the location of both trains. Their oversight led to the deadliest train accident in United States history.
Brent Moore - Flickr There’s now a memorial in the general area of the accident. Since it was so spread out and the damage extensive, the city decided to create a sweet spot away from the hustle and bustle of the streets and the new railroad tracks that criss-cross the area.
Brent Moore - Flickr It’s a place haunted by memories, and by the lives cut so short, so long ago.
Still looking for something a little eerie? Check out this drone footage!
Wikipedia
It was a heated day in early July, 1918 when two passenger trains collided head-on in Nashville, Tennessee. They were operated by NC&StL, the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway. 101 people lost their lives.
AwesomeStories.com
Both trains were scheduled to leave for Memphis, when they collided on a single stretch of railway in the area that is now Bell Meade, and was then known as Dutchman’s Curve. With passenger trains mainly made of wood, and safety restraints not necessary at the time, the intensity of the impact effectively disintegrated the passenger cars. Along with the dead, another 171 were wounded.
Gendisasters.com
Who’s to blame, when two trains traveling over fifty miles an hour hit each other head on? The Interstate Commerce Commission stated the problem lay with the crew of train no. 4, as well as tower operators who did not effectively track the location of both trains. Their oversight led to the deadliest train accident in United States history.
Brent Moore - Flickr
There’s now a memorial in the general area of the accident. Since it was so spread out and the damage extensive, the city decided to create a sweet spot away from the hustle and bustle of the streets and the new railroad tracks that criss-cross the area.
It’s a place haunted by memories, and by the lives cut so short, so long ago.
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