A new podcast from the NZ Herald is exploring the worst rail disaster in New Zealand's history.

151 people died when a railway bridge over the flooded Whangaehu River collapsed at Tangiwai on Christmas Eve, 1953.

Host Hamish Williams says this disaster made worldwide headlines and left a lasting impact.

"New Zealand was getting so much attention that year- earlier in 1953, Edmund Hilary made it to the top of the world's tallest mountain, and that put us in the spotlight in a pretty big way. It was such a great year, and it all went the opposite way."

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• Monument honours unsung heroes of Tangiwai disaster