White River Junction in Windsor County, Vermont — The American Northeast (New England)

Disastrous Train Wreck

Photographed By PaulwC3, December 24, 2013

1. Disastrous Train Wreck Marker

Inscription. At 2:10 AM on February 5, 1887 the last car of The Montreal Express derailed causing three cars to fall from the bridge and crash on the ice of the White River 43 feet below. Embers from the coal stoves ignited the spilled oil of the lanterns and fire consumed the wreckage. Twenty-five passengers and 5 crew members perished. As a direct result of the wreck, oil lanterns and coal stoves were abolished on railroad trains, and electric lights and steam heat were adopted.

Erected 2012 by Vermont Division for Historic Preservation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Disasters • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1945.

Location. 43° 40.907′ N, 72° 23.64′ W. Marker is near White River Junction, Vermont, in Windsor County. Marker is on Vermont Route 14, half a mile north of Runnals Road, on the right when traveling north. The marker is about four miles upriver from the unincorporated village of Hartford, Vermont. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: White River Junction VT 05001, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Quechee Gorge (approx. 3.1 miles away); Theron Boyd House (approx. 3.3 miles away); Vermont (approx. 4.2 miles away); Gates Library

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(approx. 4.3 miles away); Smith Block (approx. 4.4 miles away); Old Telephone Company (approx. 4.4 miles away); Town of Hartford Veterans Memorial (approx. 4.4 miles away); Hotel Coolidge (approx. 4.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in White River Junction.

Also see . . .
1. CelebrateBoston.com: Vermont Central Wreck of 1887. On Saturday February 5, 1887, the worst railroad accident in Vermont history occurred at the town of Hartford. An express train to Montreal jumped the rails and plunged over a gorge into the ice-laden White River. (Submitted on April 30, 2013, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)

2. Rauner Library Blog: The Hartford Bridge Disaster of 1887. Accounts vary, but approximately 35 people died in the crash and fire, and another 40 were injured, making this the worst rail disaster in Vermont. (Submitted on April 30, 2013, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)

Wide view of the Disastrous Train Wreck marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By PaulwC3, April 28, 2013

2. Wide view of the Disastrous Train Wreck marker

The modern day New England Central Railroad still crosses the White River across the same granite abutments and piers as did the Vermont Central Railway in 1887.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2013, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,456 times since then and 111 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 29, 2013, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.