A Baltimore and Ohio Railroad train derailed near Rowlesburg, West Virginia in March 1853.
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was completed west to Wheeling, West Virginia, in January 1853. The line descended from Tunnelton to cross the Cheat River at Rowlesburg. On March 27, 1853, a two-engine train with three passenger cars and a baggage car was headed eastbound from Wheeling. Around 3:00 pm, while descending the Cheat River grade, the spikes holding the ties to the rails came loose. Two passenger cars fell about down the side of the river valley. The initial death tool was listed as 8; later sources claim 17 deaths. It was the first time in the history of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad that passengers perished as the result of an accident.