Great Chatsworth Train Wreck
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The Great Chatsworth Train Wreck was a major rail accident that occurred late on the night of August 10, 1887 three miles (5 km) east of the town of Chatsworth in the U.S. state of Illinois. A train bound for Niagara Falls from Peoria crossed over a burning trestle, causing it to collapse. Between 81 and 85 people were killed, and 169-372 injured.[1]
[edit] Setting
[edit] Historical marker
In 1954, the state of Illinois placed a historical marker commemorating the event along U.S. Route 24.[2] The marker has the following text:
| “ | The Chatsworth Wreck - Midnight, August 10-11, 1887 - One half mile north on the Toledo, Peoria and Western Railroad occurred one of the worst wrecks in American rail history. An excursion train - two engines and approximately twenty wooden coaches - from Peoria to Niagara Falls, struck a burning culvert. Of the 500 passengers about 85 perished and scores were injured. | „ |
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—Erected by the state of Illinois, 1954. |
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[edit] References
- ^ Harper's Weekly. "The Illinois Railroad Accident.", 1887-08-20. Retrieved on 2006-11-21.
- ^ Chatsworth Illinois Memories. The Great Chatsworth Train Wreck. Retrieved on 2006-11-21.
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