Amtrak Train Disaster: 106 MPH Speed Clocked, Emergency Brakes Applied In Full

IBT ^ | May 13 2015 5:57 PM EDT | Dennis Lynch

[Paladin2]

Though similar, tires and road have different limits to forces generated than a flanged steel wheel on the rails. In both cases though, it’s good practice in everyday use to finish your braking before turning.

[Popman]

We need to spend a couple of trillion dollars to teach amtrak engineers not to go over the speed limit...

That will work... / S

[IMR 4350]

“Braking in the curve could assist in getting the train to jump the tracks.”

Inertia is a bitch.

[tacticalogic]

Though similar, tires and road have different limits to forces generated than a flanged steel wheel on the rails.

The flange is going to exert side force on the rail in the curve. Applying to brakes is going to exert an additional forward force on the rail. I'd think that would result in shifting the rail at the section joints and contribute to derailment of the wheel, with the rest of the train following suit.

[anton]

That’s what I was thinking.

[Paladin2]

"section joints"

This area of track is extremely likely to be continuously welded. The pics I saw looked like they are using concrete ties. I haven't seen any pics with displaced rail on the mainline, but there could easily be.

[KarlInOhio]

why else could he not remember what happened.

The Hillary defense?

[Paladin2]

Not sure if this is definitive, but this roadbed looks undisturbed and there is no rail in the pic that is "loose".

[Paladin2]

This pic shows displaced rail, but not much compared to a broken rail.

[Paladin2]

There are 4 tracks in that location. It's unclear which track the train was running on.

[Paladin2]

[tacticalogic]

Can’t tell for sure, but it looks like there might be a rail switch there.

[PapaBear3625]

I would imagine that Train Engineers go by visual indicators when it’s time to slow down and speed up or when sharp curves are approaching. Just like Automobile drivers do.

If this guy had been making this run routinely, then he should have known what was coming up, just like you and I would know what was coming up on our daily commute route.

[W.]

Or, perhaps, he was butt-dialing?

I can't believe nobody said that one yet!

[Paladin2]

This makes it clearer:

[Einherjar]

just a thought..............

When the personal injury lawsuits begin, we will discover that 1256 people were riding in the first car.

[kjam22]

Homo was killing himself and then changed his mind . . . too late

I agree. That's exactly it. Just like the guy who pointed the plane at the mountains... only this dummy tried to change his mind.

[Paladin2]

http://media.columbian.com/img/croppedphotos/2015/05/13/Amtrak_Crash.JPEG-0d49f.jpg

[Paladin2]

I submit that if he were knowledgeable, putting on the brakes at the appropriate moment would add to the dynamics of the wreck.

[kjam22]

That may be right. I dunno enough about trains engineering to say. Makes sense though. I’m guessing when they review the usedtobeblackboxnowarainbowbox....they’ll find he set it to full throttle a couple of miles before the curve....