[Smokin' Joe]

It would only take a small leak in a coupling, a pinhole in a hose, etc. to eventually bleed enough air pressure out of enough cars (and locomotives) for those being pulled downgrade by gravity without brakes to overcome the braking force of any remaining cars.

Anyone who has been in an industrial environment knows with rare exceptions there are always small leaks in pressurized systems, not a problem where pressures are replenished by constant operation or topping off reservoirs, but without that, subject to failure.

With the locomotives all shut down, it was only a matter of time. Pity no one thought to chock the wheels...

[thackney]

There was a fire before this at the original train location. The Fire Department shut down the locomotive that was keeping the air supply powered.

[thackney]

Especially air system that normally vibrate all day long, day after day.