In this episode, Joe pulls Rob into the chilling story of the Richmond Switch train wreck—a catastrophic derailment that unfolded in 1873 at what we now know as Wood River Junction.
What begins as a deep dive into one of New England’s deadliest rail disasters quickly becomes something more personal, as Joe reflects on the eerie realization that he’s stood on this very ground dozens of times without ever knowing the tragedy beneath his feet. 
It’s a place that feels ordinary at first glance, but once you know the story, it’s impossible not to feel the weight of history pressing in from all sides.
Together, Joe and Rob explore what life might have been like in the 1870s—an era when railroads were both lifelines and looming dangers, and a single mistake could spell disaster.
They imagine the passengers, the chaos of the crash, and the haunting aftermath that lingered long after the wreckage was cleared.
Blending historical storytelling with firsthand experience, this episode captures that unsettling moment when the past suddenly feels very present—and reminds us that even the most unassuming places can hold the darkest stories.

Wreck at the Richmond Switch.

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