This is a train, not a truck. The systems are not the same, and for good reason.
It was not a systemic failure it was either operator error or sabotage.
You left out incompetence.
Posted on 08/04/2013 5:34:43 AM PDT by thackney
Crude Trains Keep Rolling....?
You are right. Now that you’ve mentioned it, I have noticed some really vulgar graffiti spray painted on box cars lately.
Tell us again how them pipelines is bad for the en-vi-ro-ment.
I don't think that's the kind of crude they mean.
I think they mean poorly constructed steam engines or maybe wooden wheels.
Read somewhere recently since keystone is on hold
that the Canadians are working on expanding/extending
existing pipelines eastward towards Montreal
and other locations for access to refineries and export.
Crude oil is pretty tame compared to other items being hauled in bulk on trains.
They are trying to get oil/bitumen pipelines both to the East and West. Wise of them and they should build both; but they do have their own foolish protesters.
reels from what can go wrong with a crude-laden train.
What DID go wrong with that train? Haven’t heard a word about the investigation for weeks. Last I heard the company was claiming sabotage. Then silence.
Actually, “crude” as in “Crude Oil”.
I had some ridiculous idea that I was a stand up comic.
As expected, it's a kneejerk reaction in response to what was most likely insufficient handbrakes being applied (violation of EXISTING railroad rules).
As I expected, the FRA has gotten involved and is now in the process of creating more regulations, demanding some more bullshit paperwork, and basically corrupting a common sense system that has worked ever since steel wheels were designed to roll on steel rails.
Anymore, in the railroad industry, the lawyers and corporate douchebags embrace more Federal Regulation, and less hiring of qualified employees that know what they are doing. This way, all they have to do is adhere to a minimum standard set forth by law... and when something "goes wrong" they are compliant having obeyed the law... which is a minimum standard.
It all really serves itself. When something goes wrong, and the existing laws were not good enough, or railroad rules were not followed, more laws are added.
I live a few hundred yards east of the tracks so I see the traffic going through, it is a lot of traffic. Glad to be set back from the road, noise isn't a problem!
In very simple terms:
The train was parked overnight and left unattended with one engine running that maintained the brake air pressure line.
A small fire was found near/at the train.
Fire fighters, following the train guidelines shut down the engine and put out the fire, contacted train dispatching.
An hour or so later, the train began to roll downhill.
The train was going too fast to stay on the track as it rolled through this town.
Detailed timeline at:
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/M%C3%A9gantic+fire+timeline/8626739/story.html
- - - - - - -
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3041105/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3041856/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3041476/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3041135/posts
I thought the great innovation 10 years ago was that air pressure held the breaks OPEN, and if the pressure failed they would CLOSE.
Did we forget this wisdom?
Sorry 100 years ago.
Run by poorly dressed engineers who make rude gestures and shout obscenities as they go by....
Berkshire Hathaway, the holding company for Warren Buffet reported a 48% increase in profits for the second quarter. Each share earned $ 10,041. Berkshire Hathaway owns the Great northern Union Pacific and Santa Fe railroads, that are carrying all of the crude from the Bakken oil Field.0
The reserve tanks on each individual car still closes and holds the brakes. Which is why the train did not start rolling for more than an hour.
The tanks are designed to give the operators time to set the hand breaks.
But the train was left abandoned, and procedure was not followed setting sufficient hand breaks prior to leaving unattended.
That makes no sense. Air breaks are FULL ON when there is NO air pressure in the lines.
The brakes were either not set initially or were released prior to the train rolling.
It was not a systemic failure it was either operator error or sabotage. Probably the latter judging by the fire.
Someone released the brakes.
This is a train, not a truck. The systems are not the same, and for good reason.
It was not a systemic failure it was either operator error or sabotage.
You left out incompetence.
Of course they’re different but the principle is the same. Air pressure is required to keep the brakes from applying. If the brake cylinders are not pressurized the brakes are full-on.
It was not a failure in the brake system. When pneumatic brakes fail the vehicle won’t budge. It was operator error, aka ‘incompetance’ in your post, or sabotage.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.