Virginia's Forgotten Train Derailment

Photo byVirginia Historical Archives

VIRGINIA - On July 2, 1889, a devastating train accident occurred near the small community of Thaxton in Bedford County, Virginia, marking one of the most tragic events in the state's railway history.

According to the Historical Marker Database, Norfolk and Western Railway passenger train, traveling through the area, derailed after encountering a washout—a section of track that had been severely weakened by heavy rains.

The torrential downpours caused nearby streams and rivers to swell, undermining the railway tracks.

According to the Historical Marker Database, as the train approached the compromised section, it derailed, sending the cars plunging into a swollen creek below. The impact was catastrophic, resulting in the loss of around 18 to 20 lives, with many others sustaining serious injuries.

The Thaxton train crash not only shocked the local community but also highlighted the dangers of railroad travel during that era, according to the Historical Marker Database.

It served as a grim reminder of the vulnerabilities in the early rail systems, particularly in areas prone to severe weather.

Today, the Thaxton disaster remains as an important chapter in Virginia's history, remembered for its tragic consequences and the lessons learned about railway safety.