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.
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.
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
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