Train derails in town
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: North of Boston MA
Sounds like either (A) a soft spot in the ballast that someone let go for too long or (B) broke rail/stripped joint (where two pieces of rail come together). With cold weather it could have been a little of both. Coal trains are murder on track & infrastructure due to their weight (12k to 14k tons)...they just beat the ever living snot out of what thier on.
But, being winter, there is always the possibility of a pull-apart. Could also be a failed weld or an undiscovered internal defect rearing its ugly head. I'm sure the folks at the FRA will find a probable cause and fine the crap out of someone.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
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From: The Big, Oregon
Cracked rail, cracked wheel, failed bearing/journal, failed body bolster, could even have been crap on the track.
A friend of mine was on an Amtrak train heading through DC, when the train jumped. Someone put a large appliance on the tracks, the engine stayed on but the first two passenger cars derailed.
A friend of mine was on an Amtrak train heading through DC, when the train jumped. Someone put a large appliance on the tracks, the engine stayed on but the first two passenger cars derailed.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Claremore, OK
Having been part of at least 30 derailment investigations in the last several years, I can comfortably say that the track is not always the cause of derailments. Track usually gets the initial blame but you also have to consider the condition of the wheels, the vehicle suspension, train handling and of course there is always the issue of speed. If the track in this section was as bad as you say, I would assume that the roadmaster would have documented it under FRA 213 and posted a Slow Order so that speed is safe for the condition of the track. If not, someone's head is going to roll. If it was slow ordered and the black box shows the train was speeding, someone else's head is going to roll.
But, being winter, there is always the possibility of a pull-apart. Could also be a failed weld or an undiscovered internal defect rearing its ugly head. I'm sure the folks at the FRA will find a probable cause and fine the crap out of someone.
But, being winter, there is always the possibility of a pull-apart. Could also be a failed weld or an undiscovered internal defect rearing its ugly head. I'm sure the folks at the FRA will find a probable cause and fine the crap out of someone.
I've been blamed for a couple of derailments....all of them but one was proved by investigation to not be my fault. The one (excessive dynamic brakes) was a draw between me and a track defect. It's a whole different world that will get into your blood.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: North of Boston MA
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Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: iowa
Having been part of at least 30 derailment investigations in the last several years, I can comfortably say that the track is not always the cause of derailments. Track usually gets the initial blame but you also have to consider the condition of the wheels, the vehicle suspension, train handling and of course there is always the issue of speed. If the track in this section was as bad as you say, I would assume that the roadmaster would have documented it under FRA 213 and posted a Slow Order so that speed is safe for the condition of the track. If not, someone's head is going to roll. If it was slow ordered and the black box shows the train was speeding, someone else's head is going to roll.
But, being winter, there is always the possibility of a pull-apart. Could also be a failed weld or an undiscovered internal defect rearing its ugly head. I'm sure the folks at the FRA will find a probable cause and fine the crap out of someone.
But, being winter, there is always the possibility of a pull-apart. Could also be a failed weld or an undiscovered internal defect rearing its ugly head. I'm sure the folks at the FRA will find a probable cause and fine the crap out of someone.
In the past 10yrs I have become more and more aware of the rails. My wifes late husband was a railroader (maintenance, equipment operator) and so some of our friends are still with the railroad (although not BNSF which this was) That's why I watched and noticed the track. Now if there was a slow order in place I can tell you that very few of the engineers follow it. I know it gets watched a lot because atleast once a month you will see one of the smaller BNSF trucks sit by that crossing for atleast an hour. granted he might just be getting windshield time, but he still can't help but notice the tracks.
For the most part I would say the coal trains run through here around 35 with a few that are probably pushing 45 (judgement calls on my part) But I know that one of the locals happened to hit an amtrak with his radar one day at over 60 IN TOWN.
I am going to be curious what ends pu being the cause though.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Claremore, OK
I always thought the proper terms was maintenice in the way...but then one craft needs the other.
Passenger/business trains will almost always run faster over a piece of track compared to freight. Track dynamics & specs dictate speeds. There maybe a general order that allows empty coal trains to run faster than loaded...but that's just a guess on my part.
Passenger/business trains will almost always run faster over a piece of track compared to freight. Track dynamics & specs dictate speeds. There maybe a general order that allows empty coal trains to run faster than loaded...but that's just a guess on my part.
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Dec 24, 2004 10:51 PM
