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One of the most infamous railroad bridge accidents was the March 14, 1887 collapse of the Bussey Bridge in Roslindale, Massachusetts as a Boston & Providence Railroad passenger train was passing over it.  This collapse was attributed to bad design by an unqualified builder in addition to ongoing inspections by an unqualified inspector.  It is claimed that the large number of spectators attracted to the wreck helped promote the growth of Roslindale. Here is the full story:<a href="http://www.jphs.org/transportation/bussey-bridge-train-disaster.html">http://www.jphs.org/transportation/bussey-bridge-train-disaster.html</a>Here is some more information about the site today:<a href="http://ksgaccman.harvard.edu/hotc/DisplayPlace.asp?id=11666">http://ksgaccman.harvard.edu/hotc/DisplayPlace.asp?id=11666</a>Another bridge-related calamity was the dreadful Chatsworth Wreck of midnight August 10-11, 1887 on the TP&W.  At least 78 people were killed in a derailment caused by a fire weakened wood culvert. Here is the story:<a href="http://msnusers.com/ChatsworthIllinoisMemories/thegreatchatsworthtrainwreck.msnw">http://msnusers.com/ChatsworthIllinoisMemories/thegreatchatsworthtrainwreck.msnw</a>As with the Wreck of No. 97, and the Casey Jones wreck, someone also wrote a song about the Chatsworth wreck:  The Chatsworth Wreck From city, town and hamlet there came a merry throng To view the great Niagara, with joy they sped along. The maiden and her lover, the husband and the wife, The merry prattling children so full of joyous life. With hand upon the lever and eye upon the track The engineer is standing while the shades of night grow black To see the smouldering timbers that lay along the ridge, Oh God, in pity save them! It is the railway bridge. A mighty crash of timbers, a sound of hissing steam; The groans and cries of anguish, a woman's stifled scream. The dead and dying mingled with the broken beams and bars; An awful human carnage, a dreadful wreck of cars. AlI honor to the brave ones who flame and fire fought AII through that night of horror, a glory dearly bought Over land and o'er the water this thrilling message crossed The bridge was burned at Chatsworth, a hundred lives were lost But oh, how much of sorrow, and oh, how much of pain Awaited those who journeyed on that fatal railway train. *************************
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