Train wreck at Montparnasse Station in 1895

• train Montparnasse derailment in 1895

October 22, 1895 Express "Granville-Paris" was late in the French capital. To arrive on time, the driver increased the speed of the engine, which was carrying 131 passengers.

When it is entered into the terminal Montparnasse train raced at a rate of 40 to 60 kilometers per hour.

Emergency braking is not able to use, as shortly before the accident the driver was instructed not to use the brakes Westinghouse and simply turn them off. Speeding train knocked the track stop, left on the platform of the old West Station, drove all the station crashed into the front wall, punched her and collapsed on the street with a height of 10 meters. Behind the wall was a newspaper kiosk, in which a woman was sitting, a substitute on the day of her husband. She died as a result of the collapse of masonry.

Five people, including two passengers were injured.

For four days, the train stood untouched for walls of subway stations, attracting inquisitive crowd of townspeople. Driver was fined 50 francs.

Black and white retro photos from the scene:

Station, which crashed 1890.