Tay Bridge Disaster destroys British express train

The Tay Bridge Disaster, occurring on December 28, 1879, stands as one of the most significant infrastructure failures in global railroad history. The double‑track bridge, opened in 1878, carried the North British Railway’s Edinburgh–Dundee express across the Firth of Tay. On the night of the disaster, gale‑force winds lashed eastern Scotland. As the train proceeded across the bridge, the central iron lattice section suddenly failed, plunging the entire train and multiple spans into the waters below. All approximately 75 passengers and crew were killed. The official inquiry found defects in design, construction, and maintenance, including insufficient bracing and poor-quality cast iron. The disaster reshaped international engineering practice, leading to stricter bridge standards and renewed emphasis on wind‑resistant design. It also heavily influenced later structures such as the iconic Forth Bridge. The Tay Bridge Disaster remains a defining moment in transportation safety and Victorian-era engineering history.