The Granville - Paris Express, was pulling twelve cars and carrying 131 passengers as it approached its destination, Montparnasse Station in Paris, running late.

Guillaume-Marie Pellerin, a 19-year veteran, was at the helm and determined to make up time.

The train was still moving fast when he guided it into the station, ignoring policy by applying the Westinghouse brake. When it failed, he was left with only the locomotives brakes. They weren't enough.

A conductor, Albert Mariette attempted to apply the handbrake. He was too late.

The engine careered across almost 100 feet of the station concourse, crashed through a two foot thick wall, crossed a terrace, sailed out of the station and plummeted to the street below, just missing a passing tram (the tram tracks are visible at the bottom of the photo).

Luckily, two luggage vans and a postal van were coupled behind the locomotive and all the passenger carriages remained on the track.

There were only five serious injuries among those travelling on the train -- two passengers, the fireman and the two conductors.

Sadly, a woman bystander in the street was killed by falling debris.

Driver Pellerin and Conductor Mariette were both prosecuted. Pellerin was found guilty, fined 50 francs and sentenced to two months imprisonment, which he was not required to serve.

Mariette was fined 25 francs. They weren't drinking, but we think the message works.