Sounds like NS had a small problem in the Pittsburgh area this morning. Hope this link will work: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2005/01/31/national0941EST0548.DTL Boxcab E50
Link worked. Is it just me or does there seem to be a sharp increase in derailments over the past couple of months?
I don't think it is an increase, but it may be. Until about a year ago, I pretty much stayed into the modeling. Now, when I call up "24 hours of Trainboard," I see all the railfan forum activity. I had thought it was because I was getting more information that it seemed like there were more accidents or mishaps. Also, the rails are crowded. More and more traffic is traveling by rail. UP, for one, is in a hiring mode that will last for years. Being so short handed and inexperienced may contribute to accidents, too. A couple of accidents have occurred because trains violated two consecutive red signals. Workers are tired. How do the hardcore railfans or real railroaders feel about more accidents recently?
Actually, I have been wondering of this exact topic. Is the media paying closer attention, so it seems like there are more difficulties? Or are we just noticing these things a bit more often? If there are government statistics available on the 'Net, perhaps that would give us a clue. Boxcab E50
Let's think back a few years to the shark attacks.They happen every year,But for some reason the media chose to make them top stories whenever they happened.They didn't have a congressman cheating on his wife at the time so they chose to pick on animals doing what they do, EAT.The media just love to beat a dead horse until the next horse comes along to beat down.I personally can't stand watching the news.They try to make more of stories than what they are.When the CSX had the run away train a few years back on of the lady reporters was astonished that we leave the keys in the engines while we are off of them. I know this is a tragedy,But I am tired of the news media blowing things out of proportion.
I agree that it may just be that the media needs some news and tank cars make for some good sensationalism but it does seem strange that a number of recent accidents involved trains running into sidings and hitting other trains.
