OM Backroads: Ep. 95: The Ashtabula Train Disaster of 1876

Hello and welcome to another episode of Ohio Mysteries Backroads.

On a cold winter night in December 1876, a passenger train thundered across the Ashtabula River in northeastern Ohio—never reaching the other side. In an instant, the bridge collapsed, sending railcars plunging into the icy ravine below. Fire erupted, screams echoed through the darkness, and one of the deadliest train disasters in American history unfolded.

In this episode, we revisit the Ashtabula Train Disaster, an event that claimed more than 90 lives and shocked a rapidly industrializing nation. Through survivor accounts, newspaper reports, and historical analysis, we explore what went wrong—from flawed bridge design and ignored warnings to the chaotic rescue efforts that followed.

But this story is more than a tragedy. The Ashtabula disaster sparked national outrage, exposed dangerous corners cut in the age of rail expansion, and ultimately led to sweeping reforms in engineering standards and public safety.

Join us as we uncover the human stories, the haunting aftermath, and the lasting legacy of the night the bridge gave way.

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Dan hosts a Youtube Channel called: Ohio History and Haunts where he explores historical and dark places around Ohio: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj5x1eJjHhfyV8fomkaVzsA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices