Ghosts of the Night Express Train - Hartford, Vermont

On the early morning of February 5, 1887, a Montreal bound Central Railroad train No. 50 known as the "Night Express" was speeding along attempting to make time because it was running late. At some point near Hartford, Vermont as it neared a large wooden railroad bridge, the last sleeper car on the train jumped the track, unknown to anyone on board as the express sped along through the night.  The Night Express crossed the Woodstock Bridge as it was known at the time, and a disaster was about to unfold.

The charred remains of the Woodstock Bridge right after the Night Express train crash of 1887.  Photo courtesy: www.northeast.railfan.net

As the express steam engine rolled over the bridge and when the last car on the train which had become dislodged from the rail hit the bridge, it began sliding off.  One of the conductors on the train felt that something was not right and signaled the engineer to stop.  Realizing what was happening, the engineer accelerated the train in attempt to get as many cars as possible off of the bridge.  In the end, the derailed car had pulled two other coaches with it as it plunged over the side of the bridge into the icy river below.  Not completely submerged, the smashed rail cars, heated by wood burning stoves and lit by oil lamps, burst into flames immediately setting the wooden bridge on fire in the process.  The survivors worked to save as many as possible, but in the end, twenty-four passengers and five train crewmen were killed either in the crash or by the fire that followed.  Legend has it that a little boy was among the surviving passengers, however, he had watched in horror as one of his relatives died in the flames, helpless to save them.

A new bridge made of steel was constructed on the site of the disaster that same year to span the White River.  However, the original bridge pilings were used so part of the original bridge remained.  Over the years many folks traveling by train over the bridge and by foot along either side of the White River, have seen what appeared to be young boy standing in the water beneath the bridge trusses.  Some say that upon closer inspection, the figure was actually hovering above the river waters only to disappear completely! In most cases, folks report him to be wearing clothing from the late 1800s. Many feel that this is the spirit of the boy who watched his family member die in the railroad bridge disaster of 1887.  The boy seems to linger in the spot perhaps hoping for another chance to save those he loved from the flames. There are some who claim that they have also seen other figures standing around in that same spot who are also dressed in 19th century clothing.  Perhaps these are a few of the victims who perished that terrible night.

An aerial view of the former (Woodstock) rail bridge at Hartford, Vermont as it stands today.

A railroad bridge still stands in that very spot and can be found near the Savage Cemetery, Hartford, VT 05001, just south on Rt 14.  Latitude: 43.682044  Longitude: -72.394966

View the Index of Haunted Places

Phantom Loggers of Sumner Falls - Hartland, VT

In the late 1800s to early 1900s, loggers along the northern head waters of the Connecticut River would cut timber in the winter time and drag them to the tributaries to await the spring thaw.  Once the river was clear of ice, the river log drivers would "drive" the logs down the Connecticut River all the way to the saw mills in Massachusetts which was the longest log drive in New England.

Connecticut River loggers in 1914

Hundreds of men would wrangle the logs down the river and every drive dozens would die.  Many hazards along the way put the loggers in peril as they made their way down river.  Rapids would present a problem for loggers and many would drown as the fell between the logs.  At times when the floating mass of logs would reach a bridge, there would be log jams. Many men died attempting to free these logs in these jams as the 40 ft shifting logs in the current shift and the men would either be crushed or drown in the current as the river claimed them.  Sometimes the men would have to use dynamite to blast the logs free which was an extremely risky task for them.

Connecticut River log drivers working on freeing a log jam at a bridge

Near Hartland, Vermont there lies a series of rapids known as Sumner Falls.  There in these rough waters many loggers lost their lives.  For the past century folks living along these waters, rafting enthusiasts, and hikers have claimed to have seen phantom loggers floating down the river, only to disappear shortly after the passing the rapids.  These men wore turn of the century logger's clothing and also, floating logs down river is not a practice that is carried out anymore.  So the chance that these could be some modern day loggers are slim to none!

In addition to the apparitions on the river, many hikers have claimed to encountered shadow men on the trails along the river rapids.  These are also believed to be phantom loggers of the past.  So if you choose to go hiking or rafting at the Hartland Rapids, there is a good chance you may encounter the phantom loggers of Sumner Falls.

Haunted rowboat of Lake Bomoseen - Bomoseen, VT

Lake Bomoseen is nestled in the mountains of western Vermont in Rutland County.  Long ago Irish settlers who worked the local slate quarries called it home.  However, the nearest "watering hole" where they could unwind was across Lake Bomoseen on the eastern shore to a tavern in Bomoseen.  Today the town of West Castleton is a ghost town, perhaps literally.

Location of former West Castleton, Vermont

One night on an excursion to their favorite tavern,  three men jumped in their rowboat to make the journey across the lake.  However, the next morning their row boat was found adrift in Lake Bomoseen with no one aboard.  An extensive search was done of the lake in the surrounding area but their bodies were never found.

To this day some say that on a moonlit night, you can see a phantom row boat moving across the calm lake with no sign of anyone aboard, silently returning to the bay on the western shore. 
Upon closer investigation, the boat disappears. Perhaps the men of West Castleton still enjoy a night at the tavern, even in death.

Painting by   Fred E. Pearce