|
Post by curtis on Nov 2, 2022 21:08:05 GMT
Major incident today with steam locomotive and an excavator (MOW). Happened in Paradise while train was going around cars to attach at opposite end for trip back. A Switch was thrown the WRONG way. NO ONE, Engineer, conductor or anyone else, saw the incorrectly thrown switch. IT WAS CLEARLY VISIBLE by switch standard and by looking at track. Steamer how has an Excavator for the front boiler plate. NOT PRETTY! Thankfully no one was hurt. Hopefully the Front Boiler plate is all that needs replacing and not the boiler or tubes or front plate of boiler. SAD VERY SAD. Engineer and staff were waving to passengers in coaches.
|
|
|
Post by curtis on Nov 2, 2022 21:12:15 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Adam on Nov 2, 2022 21:59:44 GMT
Oh boy, that can’t be good. Even if they noticed the incorrectly thrown switch they might not have had time to stop.
Hope they have good insurance.
|
|
|
Post by david1 on Nov 2, 2022 23:03:41 GMT
That's more than a bent plate. When they get it back to the shop they may find more damage of the boiler. Lets hope not!
Dave
|
|
|
Post by dlagrua on Nov 2, 2022 23:16:30 GMT
Not to point fingers but this accident certainly seems to show of operator negligence. If you watch the video the switch stand position clearly shows that its not turned to the right position. Due to this accident its my guess that the FRA may decertify the engineer. Hope that the locomotive can be rebuilt.
|
|
|
Post by Spice7 on Nov 2, 2022 23:23:31 GMT
Sad day for everyone involved. Hope repairs don't break the bank.
|
|
|
Post by firewood on Nov 2, 2022 23:27:45 GMT
That's more than a bent plate. When they get it back to the shop they may find more damage of the boiler. Lets hope not! Dave Wow, that's a tough one to see - I hope nobody was hurt. I agree with you - maybe some tube sheet damage and some tube replacements. I hope the smokebox door gave some measure of protection. Disclosure/disclaimer: I've been around the steam and machinery trade for a few decades. However I'm sure there will be endless opinions from the vast array of experts poised to authoritatively answer such questions on other forums - I wouldn't want to get in hot water! Dave
|
|
|
Post by Joe Saggese on Nov 3, 2022 1:02:55 GMT
Very sad to see that.
|
|
|
Post by atsda on Nov 3, 2022 1:04:02 GMT
Glad to know that no one was injured. To my knowledge, the safety record there has been good. Hope that the crew can recover quickly and learn from the event. If changes are imposed, hope it does not hamper operations there. The train trips there have been important to kids and adults for a long time. Alfred
|
|
|
Post by Craignor on Nov 3, 2022 2:08:08 GMT
That’s hard to watch, a simple mistake, but at such a great place, beloved by so many. I guess the equipment is insured, and their shop can probably fix or make replacement parts, but this will tarnish their reputation. At least it seems no one got hurt.
|
|
|
Post by curtis on Nov 3, 2022 2:49:31 GMT
If you watch the video closely you will see that it is actually the Excavators Front dirt blade that stopped more damage from happening. It was at the right height to hit the front coupler and actually hold that position so the excavator did not go further into the boiler. Having driven an excavator similar to that one it was a saving grace as most of the time we lower them to the ground.
|
|
|
Post by mrmeep on Nov 3, 2022 5:50:41 GMT
Also saw another video of #475 being operated tender first at a fairly high rate of speed to go fetch some revenue cars that were supposed to have been gotten by the diesel switcher that had a mechanical issue. The engineer also seemed to run #475 pretty fast when doing some yard evolutions prior to leaving to go to the pickup point.
Would be interesting to see the incident reports, accident investigation and some better videos if they exist.
Appears that this engineer has a habit of "fast and loose" operations based on videos that are already out there prior to the accident. There are many videos featuring #475 being operated with a "fast take off" resulting in wheel slip (bad operating and bad for the equipment and rails) for almost no reason, like light movements in the yard complex).
Strasburg is built of period-correct jointed rail and the rail bed is definitely not "Northeast Corridor" spec for fast operation. I have ridden this line many times and there are several spots that are in dire need of maintenance of way attention!
This is not the first incident of "sloppy" operation at Strasburg. There were a few near misses in recent years due to lack of attention by engineers and crews as well as faster than usual operation. One, in particular, that almost resulted in an actual "cornfiled meet"! And it, too, was captured on video. And it, too, featured #475 and it, too, looked like the engineer did not pay attention to things and did not wait at Cherry Hill for the approaching train and left prematurely hoping to get to Strasburg before the approaching train got to him. You can find this video on youtube dated 8 NOV 2008.
Hopefully the locomotive can be repaired but it is now no longer complete as built as there will be reporduction or parts that will be adapted to fit. Luckikly the damage could have been worse and possibly serious injuries or loss of life. At least this was not being done with a complete train, but the loco was doing its "run around" for the return trip.
I figure that several "alphabet agencies" will now be involved. FRA, NTSB, USDOT, OSHA and State transportation agencies. This will not bode well for the railroad, especially with its insurers.
All because of a lack of attention, speed greater than conditions and possibly some showing off.
Railroading, transportation and heavy equipment operation is serious business AT ALL TIMES!
|
|
|
Post by 4dogsinjersey on Nov 3, 2022 7:00:05 GMT
Not to point fingers but this accident certainly seems to show of operator negligence. If you watch the video the switch stand position clearly shows that its not turned to the right position. Due to this accident its my guess that the FRA may decertify the engineer. Hope that the locomotive can be rebuilt. The FRA doesn’t decertify engineers. The actual railroad does. The FRA requires the railroad to have rules regarding decertification but does not directly or rarely does the deed themselves. Many factors are involved ranging from the monetary damage amount, outcome of any post accident D and A testing and violation of certain rules, such as the Restricted Speed rule, that is common on all railroads. The incident is a common situation of a moment of inattentive behavior. Depending on the railroad’s timetable special instructions, the switch may have been left in the improper position by another employee, in essence laying a trap for the engine crew. The Conductor may also be responsible for the improper switch position, again depending on the particular railroad‘s regulations. These types of accidents were rather common on the railroad, and they still happen more than you know. Tom
|
|
|
Post by curtis on Nov 3, 2022 13:46:56 GMT
Just read where Strasburg figures they can have it up and running again in about a week. So fortunate that it did not affect the boiler sheet. Appears to be just the front with some accessories (headlight, etc).
|
|
|
Post by dennym57 on Nov 3, 2022 14:18:34 GMT
I wonder if they will hire a new engineer. If this guy didn't fired I will never ride that train.
|
|