Member-only story

The Chocolate Train Wreck: A History Mystery

Jack Powell

·9.4k Followers· Follow

Published in HISTORY S MYSTERIES: The Chocolate Train Wreck

4 min read

808 View Claps

50 Respond

Save

Listen

On July 11, 1912, the southbound Railway Express train derailed on the outskirts of Baltimore, Maryland, spilling its cargo of cocoa beans into the local river. The resulting chocolate-scented disaster captured the nation's attention and became known as the 'Chocolate Train Wreck.'

HISTORY'S MYSTERIES: The Chocolate Train Wreck

by Donna L Martin

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2279 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	73 pages

The train was carrying 15 boxcars of cocoa beans, each weighing 40,000 pounds. When the train derailed, the boxcars crashed into each other, spilling their contents into the river. The river quickly turned brown and the air was filled with the smell of chocolate.

The cause of the derailment was never determined, but there were several theories. One theory was that the train was going too fast around a curve. Another theory was that the track was defective. Whatever the cause, the derailment caused a lot of damage and disruption.

The cocoa beans were a valuable commodity, and the loss of so many beans was a major financial blow to the chocolate industry. The beans were also a source of food for the local population, and the loss of so much food caused a great deal of hardship.

The Chocolate Train Wreck was a major news story at the time, and it was reported in newspapers across the country. The story was also featured in magazines and books, and it has been the subject of several documentaries.

The Chocolate Train Wreck is a reminder of the fragility of our transportation system and the importance of food security. It is also a story of resilience, as the people of Baltimore worked together to clean up the mess and rebuild their lives.

Aftermath of the Chocolate Train Wreck

The Chocolate Train Wreck had a significant impact on the city of Baltimore. The cleanup effort took weeks, and the cost of the damage was estimated at over $1 million. The loss of so much cocoa beans also had a major impact on the chocolate industry.

In the years following the Chocolate Train Wreck, the city of Baltimore worked to improve its transportation system and its food security. The city also built a monument to the Chocolate Train Wreck, which stands today as a reminder of the disaster.

The Chocolate Train Wreck Today

The Chocolate Train Wreck is still remembered today, over 100 years later. The story of the disaster has been passed down through generations, and it is still told today by the people of Baltimore. The Chocolate Train Wreck monument is a popular tourist attraction, and it is a reminder of the city's history.

The Chocolate Train Wreck is a story of disaster, resilience, and community. It is a story that is still told today, and it is a story that will continue to be told for generations to come.