Photograph of the Wreck of the Boston Flyer in Pelhamville, ca. December 29, 1885
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This is the only known photograph showing the aftermath of the "Pelhamville Train Wreck of 1885.” The January 16, 1886 issue of Scientific American included an artist’s depiction of the same scene in connection with an article about the wreck describing it as "A Remarkable Railroad Accident" that occurred on the New Haven Line in Pelhamville (now part of the Village of Pelham) at about 6:00 a.m. on December 27, 1885. See A Remarkable Railroad Accident, Scientific American, Jan. 16, 1886, Vol. LIV, No. 3 pp. 31-32.
The accident occurred when the “Boston Flyer” train traveling from Boston to New York City struck a portion of a 100-foot long passenger platform as it passed the Pelhamville Train Station. The platform, which was not attached to the posts on which it rested, was blown onto the tracks by a heavy wind. The train derailed when it struck the platform, killing the train fireman and injuring many others. This photograph seems to have been taken from the upper story of the Pelhamville railroad station. In the foreground the undercarriage of the steam engine is visible with the remains of the fire tender immediately next to it. In the background is one of the cars of the train. Workers cleaning the accident scene can be seen milling around on the tracks above and at the base of the raised grade.
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