Episode 259: The Big Bayou Canot rail disaster
From Disaster Area by Jennifer Matarese
October 31, 2025 · 55 min
About this episode
This episode discusses the Big Bayou Canot rail disaster that occurred in 1993 when a train collided with a missing bridge.
In the early morning hours of September 22nd, 1993, a cross-country train departed from Mobile, Alabama, on its way to Miami. As it headed up along the train tracks out of the city, the train didn't know one important thing - that half of the bridge over the Big Bayou Canot wasn't there anymore. Videos: Seconds from Disaster: The Wreck of the Sunset Limited Forensic Files: Visibility Zero Rail Disasters: Wreck of the Sunset Limited Articles and books: Barge Pilot Blamed in Fatal Amtrak Wreck No Criminal Liability Is Found in Amtrak Bayou Derailment Mobile Press-Register 200th Anniversary: Sunset Limited train wreck memories not diminished by passing years NTSB report on the accident
People in this episode
Host: Jennifer Matarese
Topics covered
- rail disaster
- train accident
- historical events
- transportation safety
- NTSB investigations
Keywords
- Big Bayou Canot
- rail disaster
- Sunset Limited
- train wreck
- NTSB report
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: Seconds from Disaster: The Wreck of the Sunset Limited, Forensic Files: Visibility Zero, Rail Disasters: Wreck of the Sunset Limited, Barge Pilot Blamed in Fatal Amtrak Wreck, No Criminal Liability Is Found in Amtrak Bayou Derailment, Mobile Press-Register 200th Anniversary: Sunset Limited train wreck memories not diminished by passing years, NTSB report on the accident
Places: Mobile, Alabama, Miami, Big Bayou Canot
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- Episode 264: The Cutter incident - Part Two · May 1, 2026 · 41 min
- RERELEASE: Episode 254: The Cutter incident - Part One · February 27, 2026 · 1h 12m
- Episode 263: Eastern Air Lines Flight 212 · February 21, 2026 · 58 min
- Episode 262: The sinking of the White Ship · February 11, 2026 · 1h 22m
- Episode 261: The SS Sultana disaster - Part Two · January 8, 2026 · 53 min
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