The Constant: A History of Getting Things Wrong In The Meantime
Jan 14, 2025
Francine Jackson, the lead astronomer at Brown University's Ladd Observatory and a local history enthusiast, dives into the 1853 Valley Falls train collision. She discusses its historical significance, exposing how it stood out among rail disasters and its eerie photographic legacy. The conversation reveals the chaotic timekeeping before standardization and how railroads fueled the urgent need for synchronized clocks. Francine shares gripping details about the crash, the subsequent safety reforms, and the evolution of time as we know it, while reflecting on its lasting impact.
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Valley Falls Head-On Collision
- A head-on collision occurred near Valley Falls, Rhode Island on August 12, 1853 when two trains converged on a single track.
- Francine Jackson recounts the wreck as the first photographic train disaster and a local historical event.
Photography Amplified Public Outrage
- Valley Falls stood out because head-on collisions were rare compared to boiler explosions, and it was the first train accident photographed.
- That photographic image amplified public concern and national attention on railroad safety.
Racing To Make A Connection
- The excursion train ran late and raced the single-track Boston Switch to make a steamboat connection, meeting the Worcester commuter train around a blind curve.
- The collision telescoped cars, killed 14, and left many wounded requiring amputations.