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A thrilling moment in railway history: What's the story behind the first train derailment in 1833?
In the history of railway transportation, a derailment is a train accident that occurs when a train leaves its tracks. While the majority of many derailments are minor, they invariably result in temporary disruptions to rail system operations and can pose serious safety hazards. On November 8, 1833, the Hightstown rail accident in New Jersey, USA, became the first recorded train derailment in history. This incident not only accidentally became a wake-up call for railway safety data , also exposed the fragility and unpredictability of railway transportation.
The Highterstown incident illustrates the significant challenges faced by early rail transportation, as well as the growing need for safety.
1829 to 1833: Background of railway development
In the early 19th century, railway technology was just beginning, and the invention of the steam locomotive brought unprecedented changes to the transportation industry. However, with the surge in demand for passengers and cargo, safety issues in the railway system have gradually emerged. During this period, the design of trains and the laying of tracks were not technically mature enough, which undoubtedly became a potential threat of derailment.
Details of the Highterstown Incident
A train was traveling along railroad tracks in New Jersey when the Highterstown accident occurred. According to reports, the cause of the accident was that a bearing in one of the carriages burned out, causing the vehicle to derail. One person was killed and 23 injured in the incident, and the famous New York railroad tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt and former U.S. President John Quincy Adams were also on the train. superior. Adams described the chaotic scene in detail in his diary, which also provided precious first-hand information for our subsequent historical research.
The impact of this accident not only aroused people's attention to railway safety at the time, but also became a catalyst for subsequent improvements in safety standards.
Safety progress with the development of the times
While derailments continued to occur steadily over the next few decades, they gradually became less frequent as technology advanced and safety measures were strengthened. According to statistics, there were nearly 3,000 derailments in the United States in 1980, and by 2022, this number had risen to 1,000. This is not only the result of technological progress, but also a manifestation of improvements in personnel operations and maintenance management.
Causes of cheating
There are several main causes of train derailments. The first is mechanical failure of track components, such as cracked rails or fatigue damage at joints. The second is the failure of the train operating device, such as the failure of the axle box or the damage of the wheel rim. In addition, improper train operation and the driver's failure to correctly observe signals or set up switches are important factors leading to derailments.
Operation error-proofing device produced in 1844
It is worth noting that the automatic locking mechanism of the signal box was not installed in early railway operations. Between 1843 and 1844, London's Bricklayer's Arms Junction installed the first centralized set of signal and switch levers to reduce the incidence of operational errors.
Infidelity risk and management
The risk of train derailment is everywhere, whether it comes from changes in the physical environment or variables in operating conditions. Many derailments occur due to improper handling during operation. Especially in the case of sharp turns, if the driver fails to slow down in time, it can easily cause the entire train of vehicles to overturn or even derail. This was demonstrated by the derailment in Santiago de Compostela in 2013 and the train accident in Philadelphia in 2015.
These events once again emphasize to us the importance of railway management and operation.
Reflection and future railway safety
When we look back at the development of railways in 1844 and beyond, we can clearly see that the advancement of safety technology and the professionalism of personnel have gradually become an indispensable part of railway development. No matter how technological advancements occur, railway safety is still a subject that requires continued attention. Have we fully understood the risks and control measures behind railway derailments and prepared ourselves for future safety challenges?
