Nearly 126 years ago The Montreal Express derailed on this bridge, dumping three cars into the White River below... On December 29, 2012, New England Central ran a Key Train (inhalation hazard tanks) from St. Albans to Palmer, Massachusetts with NECR SD40M-2 2680 (SD45 carbody) in charge. The text on the historic marker reads: “DISASTROUS TRAIN WRECK
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.”
