Paris · 1895
The train that fell into Paris
In 1895 the Granville Express crashed through Montparnasse station and fell about 10 metres into the street, killing a woman. Everyone aboard survived.
What is said in this reel
A train crashed through a par station wall and landed nose down in the street. It was 1895 and the Grandville Express was running late. The driver tried to make up the time and came in too fast, and the brakes couldn't stop it. It smashed the barrier and crossed almost 30 meters of station hall. it burst through the wall and dropped about 10 meters into the street. Everyone on the train survived but a woman in the street was killed by falling stone. The driver was fined 50 francs, a guard 25. One photograph became one of the most famous in transport history. The crash even turns up in the film Hugo. So how does a train go through a wall and nearly everyone walks away?
Credits and sources
- Images via Wikimedia Commons: Levy & fils, Louis Mercier, Meaulle (illustration) and postcards (public domain); Neurdein Frères and Hippolyte Blancard, Paris Musées (CC0)
- Narration: AI-generated voice.
