A train wreck, train collision, train accident or train crash is a type of disaster involving one or more trains. Train wrecks often occur as a result of miscommunication, as when a moving train meets another train on the same track; or an accident, such as when train wheels come off a track in a derailment; or when a boiler explosion occurs. Train wrecks have often been widely covered in popular media and in folklore.^{[citation needed]}

A head-on collision between two trains is colloquially called a "cornfield meet" in the United States.^[1]

Causes

Train accidents can occur due to a range of factors, including one or more of the following:

• Human error – One of the leading causes of train accidents is human error.^[2] This can involve train operators failing to adhere to safety protocols, distraction, fatigue, impaired judgment, or inadequate training.
• Mechanical failures^[3] – Equipment malfunctions or failures, such as faulty brakes, defective signaling systems, or problems with locomotives or railcars, can contribute to train accidents.
• Track and infrastructure issues – Poorly maintained tracks, inadequate inspection procedures, or infrastructure deficiencies like weakened bridges or faulty switches can lead to accidents.
• Weather conditions – Severe weather conditions, including heavy rain, snowstorms, or extreme heat, can impact track conditions, visibility, and the overall safety of train operations.
• Sabotage - People who break, place something, or destroy tracks, this is called rail sabotage.^[4]
• Attack - Anyone such as terrorists or shooters disrupted rail traffic such as bombing or shooting on a train.^[5]

Train wreck gallery

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  Train wreck in Rainy River District, Ontario, in the 1900s.