Daily Time Capsule

January 4, 1987 - The Maryland Train Collision

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Pete

Pete

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On this day, January 4, 1987, tragedy struck as an Amtrak passenger train traveling from Washington, D.C., to Boston collided with a Conrail freight train near Chase, Maryland. The accident claimed the lives of 16 people and injured more than 170 others.

The crash occurred when the Conrail freight train ran a stop signal and moved into the path of the Amtrak train, which was traveling at approximately 108 mph. Investigations revealed that the freight train’s crew had been under the influence of drugs, leading to widespread safety reforms in the rail industry.

The incident is remembered as one of the worst train disasters in U.S. history, prompting the implementation of stricter regulations, including mandatory drug testing for railroad employees.

Do you remember hearing about this tragedy?
 
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