Accidents by Railroad

Home ← Steam Railroads ← Accident Accounts ← Columbus Area Accidents by RR

Steam Railroad Accidents

Columbus, Ohio Area

Baltimore & Ohio Railroad

July 27, 1871

Alum Creek - a Baltimore & Ohio Railroad freight train was derailed by an open switch. The engineer was injured. - Newspaper

Oct. 11, 1871

Columbus Union Station - a Baltimore & Ohio Railroad passenger train collided with a freight train. The passenger train conductor was killed. - Newspaper

July 14, 1894

Olentangy Tower - a Baltimore & Ohio Railroad freight train's pilot struck a crossing rail and derailed. One employee was killed and one injured. - Newspaper - includes drawing

Sept. 5, 1894

On the Big Four's Olentangy River Bridge - a Baltimore & Ohio Railroad passenger train was hit by a runaway cut of coal cars. One person killed and two injured. - Newspaper - includes drawing

Feb. 25, 1906

East of Columbus Union Station - Baltimore & Ohio Railroad run-a-way loaded hopper cars crashed into a PRR freight train. There were no injuries. - Newspaper

Oct. 1, 1907

On Town Street - a Baltimore & Ohio Railroad passenger train struck and demolished a street car. There were no injuries - Newspaper

Aug. 12, 1915

Orient - a Baltimore & Ohio Railroad westbound passenger train was rear ended by a freight train. Six passengers were killed and 32 injured. - Newspaper - ICC Report - includes photos

Oct. 20, 1918

PRR/B&O-N&W Crossing - a Baltimore & Ohio Railroad eastbound switching move had a boiler explosion. two crew men were killed. - Newspaper - includes photos

Oct. 5, 1929

Columbus Union Station - a Baltimore & Ohio Railroad westbound passenger train locomotive derailed and overurned while leaving the station. There were no injureries. - Newspaper

Apr. 29, 1949

Newark - a Baltimore & Ohio Railroad passenger train derailed. Seven people were injured. - ICC Report


Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad

Feb. 19, 1891

Valley Crossing - a Columbus Hocking Valley & Toledo Railroad passenger train struck a moving Scioto Valley Railroad freight train. Three persons were injured. - Newspaper

May 5, 1897

Olentangy Tower/HV Cabin - a Hocking Valley freight struck a Panhandle freight. No injuries. - Newspaper - includes drawing

June 14, 1898

Owens - a Hocking Valley freight derailed at a broken switch. one brakeman killed. - Newspaper - includes photos

Oct. 30, 1900

W Broad Street - A Hocking Valley Railway cut of cars struck a Columbus Railway & Light Co. street car. One person died, three persons were injured. - Newspaper

July 13, 1908

Powell - a Hocking Valley Railroad helper locomotive exploded killing the engineer and fireman. - Newspaper

Feb. 26, 1909

Canal Winchester - a Hocking Valley Railroad Passenger train side-swipped a second passenger train. - Newspaper (Photos included)

Mar. 6, 1923

Circleville - a Chesapeake & Ohio freight train derailed and was struck by a passing Norfolk & Western freight train. The N&W engineer was injured. - Newspaper

June 24, 1924

Linworth - a Hocking Valley Railroad freight train was rear ended by a second freight train. One employee was killed and one was injured. - Newspaper - ICC Report

Mar. 12, 1945

HV Cabin - a Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad northbound freight train derailed. Three employees were killed. - ICC Report


New York Central Railroad

Jan. 21, 1860

Delaware - a Cleveland Columbus & Cincinnati Railroad passenger train derailed. No recorded injuries. - Newspaper

Sep. 3, 1881

Columbus Union Depot - Beeline freight car pushed into High Street Tunnel. No injuries - Article

Sep. 12, 1884

Columbus Union Depot - Ohio Central Railroad (T&OC) Runaway passenger car. No injuries. - Newspaper

Aug. 29, 1888

Seven miles west of CUD - CS&C (NYC-Big Four) mixed train derailed. Five injuries. - Newspaper - drawing

Dec. 5, 1891

Union Station - a Big Four string of cars struck a streetcar power pole. There were no injures. - Newspaper

Feb. 19, 1902

Shepards - a Columbus Shawnee & Hocking Railway freight train derailed. The engineer was killed and five other persons were injured. - Newspaper

Oct. 20, 1902

Flint - a Cleveland Cincinnati Chicago & St. Louis Railway (Big Four) passenger train derailed. The engineer was killed and ten employees and passengers were injured. - Newspaper - drawing

June 25, 1904

Delaware - a Cleveland Cincinnati Chicago & St. Louis Railway (Big Four) passenger train derailed. Three persons were killed and seven were injured. - Newspaper (includes photo)

Oct. 21, 1906

West of Columbus Union Station - Big Four Railroad run-a-way freight car crashed into a Big Four freight train. There were no injuries. - Newspaper

May 13, 1907

Truro - a Toledo & Ohio Central Railroad southbound passenger train derailed by an open switch. two persons killed and eighteen injured. - Newspaper - includes drawing

June 18, 1907

North of Columbus Union Station - a Cleveland Cincinnati Chicago & St. Louis Railway (Big Four) southbound passenger train was derailed by an open switch. One person killed and four injured. - Newspaper - includes photo

Aug. 18, 1911

Near Grandview Avenue - a Cleveland Cincinnati Chicago & St. Louis Railway (Big Four) northbound passenger train derailed. Forty-five passengers injured. - Newspaper (includes photo) - ICC Report

Feb. 25, 1913

Ostrander - a Cleveland Cincinnati Chicago & St. Louis Railway (Big Four) freight train broke an axle. There were no reported injuries. - Article

Dec. 24, 1919

Worthington tower - a Cleveland Cincinnati Chicago & St. Louis Railway (Big Four) northbound freight ran through a derail and overturned. One crew man was killed and two injured. - Newspaper

Mar. 30, 1923

Oakland Park Avenue - a Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago, & St. Louis Railway (Big Four) southbound passenger train struck an automobile and was derailed. Eight died and 43 were injured. - Newspaper (includes photo) - ICC Report

June 23, 1927

Flint - a Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railway (Big four) passenger train drive wheel broke. No one was injured. - Newspaper -

Jan. 28, 1930

Arnold - a Toledo & Central Ohio Railroad westbound freight train locomotive boiler exploded. Three trainmen were killed. - Newspaper

Nov. 16, 1933

Worthington Tower - a Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railway (Big four) passenger train derailed because of a broken rail. Thirteen persons injured. - Newspaper - ICC Report - includes photos

Dec. 23, 1934

Paget (Delaware) - a Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railway (Big four) passenger train crashed into the rear of a mail train. Three employees killed and thirty-two persons injured. - Newspaper - ICC Report - includes photo and drawing

Feb. 7, 1935

Kile (northwest of Columbus) - a New York Central Railroad freight train buckled. The rear end helper crushed the caboose. Two Crewmen were killed. - ICC Report - includes drawing

May 5, 1949

Croton - a New York Central freight train rear ended the local. Three people were injured. - Newspaper - - includes photo

May 30, 1951

Columbus - a New York Central Railroad freight train derailed due to a broken axle. There were no injuries. - Newspaper - (includes photo)

Aug. 16, 1957

Brice - a New York Central Railroad freight train derailed. There were no injuries. - Newspaper - (includes photos)

Dec. 18, 1965

North of Worthington - a New York Central Railroad passenger train struck an earthmover at a rail-highway grade crossing. The driver of the earthmover was killed and 43 persons on the train were injured. - Article - ICC Report - includes photos


Norfolk & Western Railroad

July 31, 1898

Valley Crossing - a Norfolk & Western freight locomotive exploded. No injuries. - Newspaper


Pennsylvania Railroad

Sep. 22, 1867

Black Lick - a Panhandle Railroad passenger train derailed. Seven passengers were killed and 26 injured. - Newspaper

Jan. 6, 1874

West of Columbus - a Pittsburg Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad passenger train was the victum of an attempted wreck - Newspaper

Summer, 1878

Sunbury - Cleveland Mt. Vernon & Columbus Railroad (PRR) bridge collapsed under the weight of a freight train. injuries unknown. - Article - includes photos

Feb. 18, 1879

West of Columbus - a Pittsburg Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad freight train rear ended a leading freight train. No injured. - Newspaper

Dec. 17, 1879

Columbus - Cleveland Mt. Vernon & Columbus Railroad (PRR) passenger train diverted to roundhouse track. Two crewmen injured. - Newspaper

Sep. 17, 1886

West side of Columbus near Gift Street - A Little Miami Railroad (PRR) express passenger train rear ended a standing freight train. One injury. - Newspaper

Aug. 16, 1889

Near Columbus Union Station - a Cincinnati, St Louis and Pittsburg Railroad (PRR) freight train rear ended a standing freight train. One person killed and two injured. - Newspaper

Mar. 3, 1896

Galena - a Cleveland Akron & Columbus Railroad freight train derailed. One person injured. - Newspaper

May 9, 1898

Chase Street - a Cleveland Akron & Columbus Railroad excursion train jumped the track. one passenger killed, two crewmen, one employee and at least four passengers injured. - Newspaper

July 26, 1899

Sunbury - Cleveland Akron & Columbus Railroad, two trains collide, brakeman asleep at the switch. no injuries. - Newspaper

April 21, 1902

Sunbury - Cleveland Akron & Columbus Railroad, burning trestle collapses under train. No injuries. - Newspaper

Oct. 1, 1902

West Side - a Columbus Railway & Light Co. streetcar struck a PRR freight train crossing West Broad Street. Eight persons were injured. - Newspaper

May 30, 1903

Front Street - a Cleveland Akron & Columbus Railroad string of runaway freight cars crash into a locomotive. One Hocking Valley employee was injured. - Newspaper

July 25, 1903

Near St. Clair Ave. - a Cleveland Akron & Columbus Railroad passenger train struck an N & W locomotive. Two crewmen and six passsengers were injured. - Newspaper

Oct. 28, 1905

Galena - a Cleveland Akron & Columbus Railroad freight train derailed. There were no injuries. - Newspaper

June 18, 1906

Windsor Avenue. - a Cleveland Akron & Columbus Railroad passenger train struck a spiked switch. There were no injures. - Newspaper

Aug. 14, 1912

James Pike Crossing - a Pennsylvania Railroad eastbound mail train struck an automobile. Three automobile passengers killed. - Newspaper

Mar. 2, 1914

Worthington - a Pennsylvania Railroad southbound passenger train ran into the rear of a freight train. Four trainmen were injured, one fatally. - Newspaper

July 3, 1917

Minerva Park - a Pennsylvania Railroad (CA&C) eastbound freight derailed 12 coal cars. No injuries. - Newspaper

Dec. 7, 1923

Near Miami Crossing - a Pennsylvania Railroad eastbound freight train was derailed. One employee was killed and three injured. - Newspaper - ICC Report

Aug. 18 1929

Condit - a Pennsylvania Railroad (CA&C) passenger train derailed. 254 injured. - Newspaper -

Dec. 27, 1934

Linden (north of Columbus) - a Pennsylvania Railroad (CA&C) passenger train derailed. Three persons were killed and twelve injured. - Newspaper - ICC Report - includes photo, drawing

Jan. 7, 1941

Miami Crossing - a Pennsylvania Railroad passenger train derailed. One person killed and one injured. - Newspaper (includes photo) - ICC Report

Sep. 15, 1941

Village of San Margherita - a Pennsylvania Railroad freight train derailed due to a broken drawbar. Eleven crude oil tank cars burned. There were no injuries. - Newspaper (includes photo)

July 26, 1943

Pennor Yard Columbus - a Pennsylvania Railroad switch engine, tender and caboose derailed and rolled on to their side. The conductor was injured. - Newspaper (includes photo)

Nov. 14, 1943

James Rd. - a Pennsylvania Railroad passenger train collided with an automobile. Four people were killed and three injured. - Newspaper (includes photo) - ICC Report

July 2, 1945

Fourth St. - a Pennsylvania Railroad freight train rear ended another freight train. One employee was killed and one injured. - Newspaper - ICC Report

Aug. 26, 1947

Columbus Union Station - a Pennsylvania Railroad passenger train rear ended a standing PRR passenger train. Six people were injured. - Newspaper

June 7, 1948

Columbus Union Station - a Pennsylvania Railroad passenger train derailed due to an improperly aligned double slip switch. Six people were injured. - Newspaper - (includes photo) ICC Report - (includes drawing).

Mar. 19, 1949

Roberts Road - a Pennsylvania Railroad freight train derailed. There were no injuries. - Newspaper

July 13, 1949

Grandview - a Pennsylvania Railroad freight train had six box cars loaded with grain derail near Grandview Avenue. There were no injuries. - Newspaper

Nov. 14, 1949

Plain City - a Pennsylvania Railroad freight train derailed 23 cars near Chillicothe Street. There were no injuries. - Newspaper - (includes photo)

Nov. 28, 1950

Newark - a Pennsylvania Railroad passenger train derailed 1/2 mile west of Route 79. There were no injuries. - Newspaper - (includes photo)

Jan. 2, 1952

Hilliard - a Pennsylvania Railroad freight train derailed and caught fire. Three local firefighters were injured. - Newspaper/Article (includes photo)

Apr. 15, 1955

Hilliard - a Pennsylvania Railroad freight train derailed. There were no injuries. - Newspaper/Article - includes photos

Sep. 23, 1957

Columbus - a Pennsylvania Railroad J-1 derailed. There were no injuries. - Newspaper/Article - (includes photo)

Nov. 30, 1958

Summit Station - a Pennsylvania Railroad freight train derailed. There were no injuries. - Newspaper

Aug. 13, 1959

US Tower - two Pennsylvania Railroad freight trains collided. Seven trainmen were slightly injured. - Article - includes photos, ICC Report - includes photos, Newspaper

Sept. 5, 1962

Near Nelson Road - a Pennsylvania Railroad switch engine with 75 cars got out of contol and struck two trains. - Three crewmen were injured. - Newspaper includes photos

Aug. 4, 1967

West Jefferson - a Pennsylvania Railroad westbound passenger train derailed. Twenty persons were injured. - Newspaper - ICC Report - includes photos