Chilling audio

moose Jul 4, 2006

  1. moose

    moose TrainBoard Member

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    Don't know if this has been posted here before or not but I found on another forum this audio of a runaway CN ore train circa 1987. 2 engines and 30 cars. Apparently the train lost it's air and away it went. It derailed at 70mph. Amazing that the engineer survived it.

    Which leads me to a question for the engineers here: What do ya do if yoy have the same sitiuation? Do you ride it out or depending on speeds do you try and jump off the train? Has this ever happened to you?

    You need Real Player to listen to it.

    website: http://www.sdrm.org/sounds

    sound clip: http://www.sdrm.org/sounds/runaway.ra
     
  2. OC Engineer JD

    OC Engineer JD Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    That is very intense. I have never had a train get out of control, but if I did, I would not jump. I believe that it would be safer riding it out then jumping.
     
  3. Don Rickle

    Don Rickle TrainBoard Supporter

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    With today's "two-way" ETD, an emergency application can be applied to both ends of a brake pipe blockage. Although he had NO air!

    I had an unusual situation last winter with a TOFC "Z" train. The equalizing reservoir read 90 psi, the brake pipe read 70 psi, and the rear end read 70 psi. Air flow was 0. That alone got my attention because "something ain't right here". The train was rolling great so I wasn't concerned about the brakes actually being set up. Well, as we approached a 45 mph permanent speed restriction from 70 mph, down grade, I made a 20 psi brake pipe reduction and had no air exhaust at the control stand, so I knew I had a problem. I "plugged" (emergency application) the train at both ends. We hit the restriction a little hot and we were also in full dynamics. After the conductor inspected the train and found nothing wrong, the brake pipe and rear end finally equalized at 90 psi with the brakes released. The regulating valve was set at 90 psi. No problems after that.

    I really can't say to jump or not. When I was a conductor in Oklahoma we hit a empty fertilizer tank truck at 10 mph. We plugged the train at 49 mph but we were so freaked out we were going to hit this thing we stayed on board at 10 mph! As far as we knew this was a gasoline tanker! I remember leaning down in the nose of the cab getting ready for "the end". Sensory overload?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 5, 2006
  4. SecretWeapon

    SecretWeapon Passed away January 23, 2024 In Memoriam

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    Hey,
    When I'm setting up,if things don't come on right,I always dump(emergency app.) it & then start over.That said,a 5 cars or smaller passenger train will charge up ALOT FASTER than a big freight.
    I agree with Jerry ( a.k.a. one arm :teeth: ), I think I would've rode it out.Although,I'd have to be wondering,"what the hell am I doing on a freight train?":eek:
     
  5. Don Rickle

    Don Rickle TrainBoard Supporter

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    Hey mike!!!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 5, 2006
  6. coloradorailroads

    coloradorailroads TrainBoard Member

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    Nightmare

    Listening to it...I think that's the worst nightmare you can have. Well, that and having 50 or more cars of chemicals or gas behind you or in front of you. :eek:mg:
     
  7. Rule 281

    Rule 281 TrainBoard Member

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    I've looked out at the ballast and trees going by at 40 or 50 when all is well and thought about choices that might have to be made someday. I play that 'what if?' game in my head and hope I never have to choose between the evils of jumping or riding it out because neither looks like a good option from my seat. Nobody can say what to do until the 'pucker factor' is off the scale, it's all on the line and it's their own decision to make.
    I've had some trains run hard going downgrade but don't remember thinking about unloading. Maybe too busy trying everything to get control and to a standstill to consider it. All I know for sure is...I hope I don't have the occasion to think about it again.
     
  8. SecretWeapon

    SecretWeapon Passed away January 23, 2024 In Memoriam

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    Hi Donnie :thumbs_up: :shade:
     
  9. watash

    watash Passed away March 7, 2010 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    I am still shivering!
    With steam we could have tried to get the engine to hold back some, but staying with a steamer was a pretty sure way of getting scaled, so most I ever heard was JUMP and pray all the way.

    If he had a siding, he might have been able to cut loose, out run the cars to it, but you wouldn't know where the cars might go after that.
    I think there is an unconscious built-in feeling of responsibility that makes an engineer try all he can to make an accident less than it might be.
    Sort of a feeling like desertion, or giving up, and most engineers are not like that.
     
  10. Stourbridge Lion

    Stourbridge Lion TrainBoard Supporter

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    I remember this...

    Just as scary hearing the second time as it was the first...

    :eek:mg: :eek:mg: :eek:mg: :eek:mg: ​
     
  11. Charlie

    Charlie TrainBoard Member

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  12. JCater

    JCater TrainBoard Member

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    Man, I had to wrestle a download of Real Player, but it was worth it! Unreal audio, and definately scary. THAT is true bravery.
    John
     
  13. coloradorailroads

    coloradorailroads TrainBoard Member

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    Here's the question of the moment: Would you rather jump, believing you had done what was reasonably expected, or would you stick it out, hoping something will come up that you can do something about? Though I'm not an engineer, I can imagine the situation and I'm not crazy about either, especially with hard ground at 65-70 mph, or worse: a tree or pole. I think I would stay at the controls, mostly because jumping isn't my favorite trick, and the belief in God's favor, in this life and the next, on someone who stuck it out, riding the horn, and watching for any opportunity to limit the damage.

    I think the engineer in the tape did the right thing, and I'm glad he stuck it out instead of jumping.
     
  14. SRT-FAN

    SRT-FAN TrainBoard Member

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    OOOh, that'll leave a mark

    I've listened to that audio clip. It send chills down my spine. Speaking of run-aways. SRT Suffered one on 8 Novemer 1986 0845 local time, six UM12C got away from Bang Sue Locomotive Depot by operator error. All that employee can do is to have all crossing closed and Hua Lampong Station cleared of people. All six loco slammed into ticketing office of Hua Lampong Station. The final toll 2 dead. Ouch!:eek:mg:
     
  15. watash

    watash Passed away March 7, 2010 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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  16. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    :eek: :eek: :eek:

    :eek:mg:

    Boxcab E50
     
  17. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    Chilling is a good title for this. Hope none of our friends here ever have to face this decision.
     

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