The Great Train Wreck of 1856 occurred in Whitemarsh Township, Pennsylvania, between Camp Hill station (known as Sandy Run, Camp Hill, Sellwick and finally Fellwick station before being closed in 1996) and Fort Washington station, on July 17, 1856. Two trains, traveling on the same track in converging directions, collided, killing between 59 and 67, and injuring over 100. The incident was referred to as The Camp Hill Disaster in Montgomery County, and The Picnic Train Tragedy in Philadelphia. It was the deadliest railroad catastrophe in the world up to that time and became one of the signature events of its era.
The Great Train Wreck of 1856 between Camp Hill and Fort Washington, Pennsylvania kills over 60 people
The Great Train Wreck of 1856 occurred in Whitemarsh Township, Pennsylvania, between Camp Hill station (known as Sandy Run, Camp Hill, Sellwick and finally Fellwick station before being closed in...
Historical Significance
The Great Train Wreck of 1856 occurred in Whitemarsh Township, Pennsylvania, between Camp Hill station (known as Sandy Run, Camp Hill, Sellwick and finally Fellwick station before being closed in 1996) and Fort Washington station, on July 17, 1856.
Events Before
British preacher and Salvation Army founder William Booth (26) weds British Salvation Army co-founder Catherine Mumford
British preacher and Salvation Army founder William Booth (26) weds British Salvation Army co-founder Catherine Mumford (26) at Stockwell Green Congregational Church in Surrey, England
Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart (22) weds Flora Cooke in Fort Riley, Kansas
Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart (22) weds Flora Cooke in Fort Riley, Kansas
Scottish explorer David Livingstone becomes the first European to see Mosi-oa-Tunya waterfall, which he christens as Vic
Scottish explorer David Livingstone becomes the first European to see Mosi-oa-Tunya waterfall, which he christens as Victoria Falls, on the Zambezi River in Barotseland, Africa (now Zambia and Zimbabwe)
Clipper "Guiding Star" disappears in Atlantic, 480 dead
Clipper "Guiding Star" disappears in Atlantic, 480 dead
First bridge over the Mississippi River in what is now Minneapolis, Minnesota, opens; today known as the Father Louis He
First bridge over the Mississippi River in what is now Minneapolis, Minnesota, opens; today known as the Father Louis Hennepin Bridge
Events After
Tim Keefe is born
Tim Keefe, American athlete, known for american baseball player, was born on 1857-01-01.
Novelist Jules Verne (28) weds Honorine de Viane Morel
Novelist Jules Verne (28) weds Honorine de Viane Morel
National Association of Base Ball Players is founded in New York City
The National Association of Base Ball Players (NABBP) was the first organization governing American baseball (spelled as two words in the 19th century). The first convention of 16 New York City area…
University of Calcutta is founded as the first full-fledged university in South Asia
University of Calcutta is founded as the first full-fledged university in South Asia
Second Opium War: France and the United Kingdom declare war on China
Second Opium War: France and the United Kingdom declare war on China
More from the 1850s
birth
Alice Mary Robertson is born
Alice Mary Robertson, American politician, known for american politician, was born on 1854-01-02.
birth
Tim Keefe is born
Tim Keefe, American athlete, known for american baseball player, was born on 1857-01-01.
City of Glasgow steamer inaugurates Philadelphia-Liverpool line
City of Glasgow steamer inaugurates Philadelphia-Liverpool line
National debt of Britain and Ireland is £765,126,582
National debt of Britain and Ireland is £765,126,582
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on July 17, 1856?
- The Great Train Wreck of 1856 occurred in Whitemarsh Township, Pennsylvania, between Camp Hill station (known as Sandy Run, Camp Hill, Sellwick and finally Fellwick station before being closed in 1996) and Fort Washington station, on July 17, 1856. Two trains, traveling on the same track in converging directions, collided, killing between 59 and 67, and injuring over 100. The incident was referred to as The Camp Hill Disaster in Montgomery County, and The Picnic Train Tragedy in Philadelphia.
- Why is The Great Train Wreck of 1856 between Camp Hill and Fort Washington, Pennsylv... significant?
- The Great Train Wreck of 1856 occurred in Whitemarsh Township, Pennsylvania, between Camp Hill station (known as Sandy Run, Camp Hill, Sellwick and finally Fellwick station before being closed in 1996) and Fort Washington station, on July 17, 1856.