There's Been A Major Train Derailment In The Bronx — At Least 4 Reported Dead

http://www.businessinsider.com/metro-north-train-derails-in-the-bronx-2013-12 ^ | Dec 1, 2013 | Joe Weisenthal

[Cvengr]

"...CBS New York, citing FDNY sources, is saying there are "several injuries."

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/metro-north-train-derails-in-the-bronx-2013-12#ixzz2mEOvVQNG ..."

[ken5050]

Every one of these commuter cars can act as an engine...that's because maximum train lengths are 6-8 cars, and the track is almost level.

I know the area very well, and looking at the aerial images, the train was going way to fast. It's a big bend curve, and normal procedure is that even express trains..that don't stop there, slow to almost a fast walking speed.

No way you get cars that far off the tracks unless the speed was off the wall.

[ken5050]

Metro North has a superb safety record...

[ken5050]

This is going to be a commuter nightmare for some time.

[ken5050]

If this was on Monday morning..prime rush hour, that train would have been packed solid...over 1000 passengers..and the carnage would be awful..

[wintertime]

Globull Warming?

[Alberta's Child]

Every one of these commuter cars can act as an engine ...

Maybe that's the case with Metro-North, but I don't think NJ TRANSIT operates that way. I believe their fleets of coach cars include some that have control cabs in one end, but not all of them can function that way. NJ TRANSIT rail cars typically have doors at either end, but for some models there is no door at the engineer's position of a cab-end control car.

[ken5050]

That is the case with Metro North.

I just heard a report that the engineer survived..that he was he one who first dialed 911..again..just looking at the pictures..he was going much too fast...

[ken5050]

More...just was reported that a locomotive was pushing this train from the rear...that’s very unusual...

[Alberta's Child]

I don't think that's unusual at all, especially if it's a diesel train.

It doesn't make sense to take the time to move a locomotive from one end of a commuter train to another every time the train changes direction, especially if the train is making a return trip shortly after arriving at a terminal station. NJ TRANSIT trains always operate this way, and in most cases they operate diesel service with the locomotive at the "western" end of the train (the direction is relative to New York City or Hoboken). This means the engine pulls the train on their westbound trips and pushes it on the eastbound trips.

I'm not 100% sure about this, but I believe this configuration is based on the layout of the NJ TRANSIT rail yard in either Hoboken or South Kearny, where the locomotive maintenance facility is located at the west end of the yard and therefore it's easier to have a locomotive at that end of a train when the train is put together in the yard.

[ken5050]

I’m confused. Metro North is 100% electrified from Poughkipsee all the way into Grand Central..and you can’t run a diesel into Grand Central

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

They were warned!

[Alberta's Child]

Doesn't Metro-North operate dual-mode locomotives on some of its lines?

Even if the line is electrified perhaps they're running diesel service for part of the line if they're doing weekend maintenance?

[ken5050]

I think they are dual mode...Obviously it was going to take the train into Grand Central..that's why it was at the rear of the train...

Maintenance is a possible reason for use of the locomotive.

BTW..it was an express...Croton-on-Hudson, 125th street, then Grand Central..but as I wrote earlier..at that station, byt the curve, express trains slow to a near crawl..

[ken5050]

More...just reported that two of the people who were killed were ejected from the train....that gives you some idea of the speed

[jimbo123]

Do Union rules allow texting while driving?

[jimbo123]

Flashback:

NTSB: Speed, texting factors in derailment

Inattention to signals, ineffective communication, distraction from text messaging and speeding were all cited as factors in the Jan. 12, 2012, crash that involved three trains and injured two people, according to a federal agency.

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/duneland/jackson-township/ntsb-speed-texting-factors-in-derailment/article_af20b3a8-05f6-569e-b8db-74af18145c03.html

[jimbo123]

Flashback:

Spain Train Crash Conductor Was Using Phone

Investigators Say Train Was Traveling at Nearly Twice Speed Limit

MADRID—A Spanish train driver was talking on his work cellphone and traveling at nearly twice the recommended speed when the train derailed on a tight curve last week, in Spain’s worst rail accident since the 1940s.

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424127887323854904578637961496514342

[Cvengr]

From the photos, it looks like it was pulling 7 cars. Back ones look like they came off first, then they drug the cars and the locomotive off the rail in the opposite direction as they pulled taunt.

[Zeppo]

From the photos, it looks like it was pulling 7 cars. Back ones look like they came off first, then they drug the cars and the locomotive off the rail in the opposite direction as they pulled taunt.

What you have described as the "back ones" were actually the front cars. The engine was pushing from behind, the engineer was in the cab of the passenger car that is almost in the water, heading into Manhattan.

[virgil]

I read that the engineer said he applied the brakes, but the train didn’t slow down.