Two train accidents were in the news today. The first involved alcohol... ethanol specifically. An Iowa Interstate Railroad train derailed 26 cars of its 131-car train near Tiskilwa, Illinois west of Chicago. Seven tank cars of ethanol burned. The company issued a press release (PDF) indicating that there were no injuries, and that one tank car is still burning. (CBC)
The second accident in the news apparently involved pot - marijuana. The Canadian Transportation Safety Board issued a report (PDF) on the March 3, 2010 collision between two trains near Golden, BC. I reported on it. The TSB report says that one westbound train was leaving the Golden yard when an eastbound train ran past a stop signal and struck the other train.
Where do the pot and the phones come in? Well, the crew on the eastbound train were reported to have been using their cellphones frequently during their trip, and one was used a minute before the collision. This is reminiscent of the 2009 Metrorail crash. Fortunately in the CP crash, noone was (initally) injured. Apparently the locomotive engineer had been in the presence of marijuana recently and was concerned that it would show up on the mandatory post-accident drug test, so he consumed 10L of water after the accident to try to dilute the results. This caused hyponetremia (water intoxication) and he was airlifted to a hospital. The drug test was inconclusive. (CBC)
I don't know the effects of pot, having never used it, but it stands to reason that you shouldn't operate heavy machinery after using it... and of course cell phone bans were already in place on Canadian Pacific prior to this accident. Don't text and drive!
Showing posts with label collision. Show all posts
Showing posts with label collision. Show all posts
Friday, October 07, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
What is it With Trucks and Amtrak Trains?
On Monday a trash truck plowed through a crossing and hit the Amtrak Downeaster in North Berwick, Maine (Story) Unfortunately the driver was killed, but noone on the train was seriously injured.
This follows the truck slamming into the California Zephyr late last month in which the truck driver, the train's conductor and four others on the train were killed.
What a strange, and tragic, coincidence. Is this some kind of weird terrorist plot or something? Let's hope there aren't any more grade crossing accidents for a while.
This follows the truck slamming into the California Zephyr late last month in which the truck driver, the train's conductor and four others on the train were killed.
What a strange, and tragic, coincidence. Is this some kind of weird terrorist plot or something? Let's hope there aren't any more grade crossing accidents for a while.
Tuesday, February 08, 2011
Remembering the Hinton Disaster
Today marks the 25th anniversary of the collision at Hinton, Alberta on February 8, 1986, in which twenty-three people were killed in the worst train accident in Canada since the 1947 Dugald accident.
CN westbound freight train 413 ran a red light at the end of the double-track and ran into the eastbound VIA Super Continental / Skeena. All four head end crew members were killed, as were 18 of the 36 occupants of the coach behind the two VIA engines and the baggage car. One of the two occupants of the dome car behind the coach was also killed. 82 people were injured.
The reason why the freight ran the red light will likely never be known. The freight was going over the speed limit of 50 MPH when it passed the clear-to-stop signal (yellow over red) and did not slow down as it approached the red signal at the end of double track. The lead locomotive, CN 5586, a GP38-2W, was equipped with a dead-man's pedal but not a Reset Safety Control (RSC) switch. A dead-man's pedal can be fooled by jamming something on it. An RSC switch requires an action to be performed periodically, or the train will be brought to a stop.
This disaster led directly to the requirement that the lead locomotive of all trains in Canada be equipped with an RSC. This was phased in, probably because there were insufficient locomotives available to implement the order on all trains. CN committed to all passenger and "through" freight trains would lead with an RSC-equipped locomotive by January 1, 1988, and all trains would lead with an RSC-equipped locomotive by January 1, 1989. Yard service was excluded.
The VIA train had the following consist: FP7A 6566, F9B 6633, Baggage 617, Coach (Snack Bar) 3229, Skyline 513, Sleeper Ennishore, Sleeper Elcott, FP9Au 6300, Steam Generator 15445, Baggage 9653, Dayniter 5703, Cafe-Lounge 757, Sleeper Estcourt, Steam Generator 15404. The entire first half of the VIA train was retired (up to and including the Elcott).
The CN freight had CN 5586 leading and two SD40s trailing, 5062 and 5104. All units were destroyed in the crash. Unfortunately the SD40s were equipped with RSC devices but were not leading, presumably for reasons of crew comfort.
Hopefully this will remain the worst train accident in recent Canadian history.
A news article remembering the disaster: Edmonton Journal.
CN westbound freight train 413 ran a red light at the end of the double-track and ran into the eastbound VIA Super Continental / Skeena. All four head end crew members were killed, as were 18 of the 36 occupants of the coach behind the two VIA engines and the baggage car. One of the two occupants of the dome car behind the coach was also killed. 82 people were injured.
The reason why the freight ran the red light will likely never be known. The freight was going over the speed limit of 50 MPH when it passed the clear-to-stop signal (yellow over red) and did not slow down as it approached the red signal at the end of double track. The lead locomotive, CN 5586, a GP38-2W, was equipped with a dead-man's pedal but not a Reset Safety Control (RSC) switch. A dead-man's pedal can be fooled by jamming something on it. An RSC switch requires an action to be performed periodically, or the train will be brought to a stop.
This disaster led directly to the requirement that the lead locomotive of all trains in Canada be equipped with an RSC. This was phased in, probably because there were insufficient locomotives available to implement the order on all trains. CN committed to all passenger and "through" freight trains would lead with an RSC-equipped locomotive by January 1, 1988, and all trains would lead with an RSC-equipped locomotive by January 1, 1989. Yard service was excluded.
The VIA train had the following consist: FP7A 6566, F9B 6633, Baggage 617, Coach (Snack Bar) 3229, Skyline 513, Sleeper Ennishore, Sleeper Elcott, FP9Au 6300, Steam Generator 15445, Baggage 9653, Dayniter 5703, Cafe-Lounge 757, Sleeper Estcourt, Steam Generator 15404. The entire first half of the VIA train was retired (up to and including the Elcott).
The CN freight had CN 5586 leading and two SD40s trailing, 5062 and 5104. All units were destroyed in the crash. Unfortunately the SD40s were equipped with RSC devices but were not leading, presumably for reasons of crew comfort.
Hopefully this will remain the worst train accident in recent Canadian history.
A news article remembering the disaster: Edmonton Journal.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Red Board at Carman Junction
Allan Peden has a great story here about his involvement in a wreck at Carman Junction in western Winnipeg in the early morning of October 17, 1956. CN Extra 2503 East ran a red board at the Junction and collided with a train coming off the Carman subdivision. Mr. Peden was the head-end brakeman in the engine. The fireman was critically injured when jumping from the engine, and died later.
The Carman subdivision was sold to the Central Manitoba Railway, but Carman Junction still exists and is used. These days they have signal lights instead of boards!
Read the entire last days of steam series. There are several stories about working on CN, in and around Winnipeg.
The Carman subdivision was sold to the Central Manitoba Railway, but Carman Junction still exists and is used. These days they have signal lights instead of boards!
Read the entire last days of steam series. There are several stories about working on CN, in and around Winnipeg.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Truck-Train Collision in Winnipeg Tuesday
A truck ran into a CEMR train on the Perimeter Highway just northeast of Winnipeg Tuesday around 4 PM. The Winnipeg Sun reported that a semi (transport truck to you Easterners) went around four stopped cars and plowed into the train as it was crossing the highway. The crossing lights were working but there are no barriers at that crossing. I doubt barriers would have made much difference in this situation.
CEMR 4000 was on the train, and from the Winnipeg Sun photos, it looks like the train struck the train between 4000 and the first freight car. It looks like there was some damage to 4000.
The driver was extricated from the cab and taken to hospital, and was reported to be in stable condition. The train crew was not injured.
The CEMR train was heading south on the Pine Falls subdivision. I had heard CEMR 4000 on the scanner on Monday around noon as they headed south on the Carman subdivision.
The Winnipeg Free Press and the CBC both had brief stories about the accident.
CEMR 4000 was on the train, and from the Winnipeg Sun photos, it looks like the train struck the train between 4000 and the first freight car. It looks like there was some damage to 4000.
The driver was extricated from the cab and taken to hospital, and was reported to be in stable condition. The train crew was not injured.
The CEMR train was heading south on the Pine Falls subdivision. I had heard CEMR 4000 on the scanner on Monday around noon as they headed south on the Carman subdivision.
The Winnipeg Free Press and the CBC both had brief stories about the accident.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Chaleur in Halifax
Apparently sometime Wednesday night there was a problem with the Renaissance consist on the combined Ocean-Chaleur west of Charny. The Chaleur passengers were bussed from Matapedia, while the Ocean passengers proceeded to their destinations east of Matapedia in the Chaleur cars on Thursday. Make sense? :)
Friday's VIA 14 had VIA 6403, 6405 and 6429 with some deadhead cars and another locomotive for VIA 15 that would be left in Moncton.
Friday's VIA 15 was a set of silver Budd cars rather than the expected Renaissance cars. As it happens, it struck a pickup truck near Rogersville around 18:35. Fortunately noone was hurt but the train was delayed for over an hour and a half.
That VIA 15 with the Chaleur equipment had VIA 6432 and VIA 6427 leading baggage car 8619, coach 8103, Skyline 8509, and sleepers Chateau Denonville (8206) and Chateau Roberval (8224) through Windsor Junction.
Photo by David Othen.
Friday's VIA 14 had VIA 6403, 6405 and 6429 with some deadhead cars and another locomotive for VIA 15 that would be left in Moncton.
Friday's VIA 15 was a set of silver Budd cars rather than the expected Renaissance cars. As it happens, it struck a pickup truck near Rogersville around 18:35. Fortunately noone was hurt but the train was delayed for over an hour and a half.
That VIA 15 with the Chaleur equipment had VIA 6432 and VIA 6427 leading baggage car 8619, coach 8103, Skyline 8509, and sleepers Chateau Denonville (8206) and Chateau Roberval (8224) through Windsor Junction.
Photo by David Othen.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
NB Southern Train Hits Truck
The Telegraph Journal is reporting that an NB Southern train hit a truck in Grand Bay-Westfield. Fortunately, noone was hurt but it appears from the article and the comments that a young couple were in the truck and misjudged the train's distance. The engineer attempted to make an emergency stop but of course the train wasn't able to stop in time.
It goes to show you, again, that if the crossing lights are on, don't cross. However, I do think some of the crossing lights come on too early for the speed of the train. At Welsford, in particular, the crossing lights come on well before the train comes, and local people are in the habit of going through the crossing when the lights are on.
I'm glad noone was hurt.
It goes to show you, again, that if the crossing lights are on, don't cross. However, I do think some of the crossing lights come on too early for the speed of the train. At Welsford, in particular, the crossing lights come on well before the train comes, and local people are in the habit of going through the crossing when the lights are on.
I'm glad noone was hurt.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Information on Damaged VIA Train
David Othen very kindly gave permission for me to post some photos and information about the VIA cars involved in Friday's collision.
First, the location. I had thought the collision was just as the Ocean came out of the balloon track at Halifax Ocean Terminals. Not so! The Ocean was already out of the track and crossing over to the rightmost track, prior to backing into the Halifax station. See photo below where the MOW crews are working.
It appears VIA's engines were on the last switch, just pulling onto the rightmost track when CN 121 came around the corner and hit them, possibly between the second engine and the baggage car. I repeat, this is how it appears to me.
The damaged engines and cars at Halifax.
David went to the Halifax station in the morning of July 8 to take these photos and see what he could see. I'll let him explain.
Thank you, David, for giving me permission to post those. Please visit David's web site and have a look at his excellent videos for sale.
First, the location. I had thought the collision was just as the Ocean came out of the balloon track at Halifax Ocean Terminals. Not so! The Ocean was already out of the track and crossing over to the rightmost track, prior to backing into the Halifax station. See photo below where the MOW crews are working.
It appears VIA's engines were on the last switch, just pulling onto the rightmost track when CN 121 came around the corner and hit them, possibly between the second engine and the baggage car. I repeat, this is how it appears to me.
The damaged engines and cars at Halifax.
David went to the Halifax station in the morning of July 8 to take these photos and see what he could see. I'll let him explain.
On the track nearest the harbour are:
6417 which appears undamaged
6427 (not coupled) which appears to have the snow plow bent downwards
4 cars obviously couple and all appearing to have crumpled into the next car: 7011 (Baggage), 7223, 7225, and 7200 (all coaches).
In the main station platform were two groups of cars and a car with one end lifted by a crane: 7316 (Service car), 7402 (Diner), 7308 (Service Car), 7518 and 7515 (Sleepers).
7520 separate with one end lifted in the air while trucks were being examined and possibly replaced
Separate string closest to buffer stops: 7507, 7512, 7516 (Sleepers), 7601 (transition car), Yoho Park.
Speculation: 7011, 7223, 7225, 7200 are all unserviceable. I have heard reports that the interior damage in the crumple zone is extensive and that they will be out of service for a long time.
Thank you, David, for giving me permission to post those. Please visit David's web site and have a look at his excellent videos for sale.
VIA 14 to Halifax
After Friday evening's collision in Halifax, VIA has been running buses between Moncton and Halifax to serve its customers. No more, apparently. I'm told VIA 14 went to Halifax Tuesday afternoon.
VIA 6400 brought 5 Renaissance cars to IRSI in Moncton on July 5 and they were cleared for service on July 7. Apparently the damaged cars are still in Halifax. David Othen provided a detailed list and I will ask if I can post it here.
JF Dumont and Bernard Babin reported that a special VIA 14 was in Charny, Quebec Tuesday evening with engines 6431 and 6408 with 1 baggage car and 4 coaches. Normally the Ocean does not run on Tuesdays. I assume there were no passengers aboard.
It looks like there will be a VIA 15 from Halifax around noon today... I'll keep you posted.
VIA 6400 brought 5 Renaissance cars to IRSI in Moncton on July 5 and they were cleared for service on July 7. Apparently the damaged cars are still in Halifax. David Othen provided a detailed list and I will ask if I can post it here.
JF Dumont and Bernard Babin reported that a special VIA 14 was in Charny, Quebec Tuesday evening with engines 6431 and 6408 with 1 baggage car and 4 coaches. Normally the Ocean does not run on Tuesdays. I assume there were no passengers aboard.
It looks like there will be a VIA 15 from Halifax around noon today... I'll keep you posted.
Saturday, July 05, 2008
VIA Damaged in Halifax
While being turned at Halifax Ocean Terminals (HOT) in the evening of July 3, the Ocean collided with CN 121's engines. It appears that four cars of the Renaissance trainset are damaged, most critically the baggage car. Since the baggage car provides the North American coupler to attach to the engines, none of the Renaissance cars can be used. No cars were derailed.
By 0830 in the morning of July 4, all the VIA equipment was at the station with the first five cars on the track closest to the Superstore and the others on one of the station tracks. I have to assume that some kind of chain was used so the engines could pull the rest of the cars.
So far passengers between Halifax and Moncton are being bussed, with the Ocean being turned at Moncton. 5 busses took passengers from Moncton to Halifax on July 4: 4 with 191 passengers to Halifax and 1 for local stops between Moncton and Halifax.
This morning's (July 5) VIA 614 had a Renaissance baggage car behind the Park car. Bill Linley reports VIA 6400 left Moncton at 17:15 for Halifax with the baggage car, and it should be arriving in Halifax about now.
Thanks to Geoff Doane and "icle_mlr" for all of the reports from Halifax.
VIA 15 in happier days in Halifax, 2006/11/04
By 0830 in the morning of July 4, all the VIA equipment was at the station with the first five cars on the track closest to the Superstore and the others on one of the station tracks. I have to assume that some kind of chain was used so the engines could pull the rest of the cars.
So far passengers between Halifax and Moncton are being bussed, with the Ocean being turned at Moncton. 5 busses took passengers from Moncton to Halifax on July 4: 4 with 191 passengers to Halifax and 1 for local stops between Moncton and Halifax.
This morning's (July 5) VIA 614 had a Renaissance baggage car behind the Park car. Bill Linley reports VIA 6400 left Moncton at 17:15 for Halifax with the baggage car, and it should be arriving in Halifax about now.
Thanks to Geoff Doane and "icle_mlr" for all of the reports from Halifax.
VIA 15 in happier days in Halifax, 2006/11/04
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