Steve40cal

10th Street crossing had a standard flasher on it. This shows sand at the point of impact. BN local 3111 is the Westbound six day a week local from Tu

10th Street crossing had a standard flasher on it. This shows sand at the point of impact. BN local 3111 is the Westbound six day a week local from Tu
Steve40cal, Jan 2, 2011
    • wmrx
      The train derailed somewhere in the turnout. The switch stand was wiped out almost immediately and that would have allowed the points to float. There might have been damage to the frog, as well. It's hard to say for sure, as there are no close-ups of the area in question. I'm sure that the forces in play in this derailment were huge, but there is no way that the train could have "jumped" this distance. No, I can't say that I was there, but I have investigated plenty of derailments in my railroad career. These are fantastic photos and I am glad that they were so generously shared.
      Kevin Love
    • slsfrr (Jerome Lutzenberger RIP 9/1/2018)
      That was a ride not any engineer wants to experience! I could see the truck coming on the firemen side and knew he was not going to stop, even though the crossing bells and lights were working. As info speed at the crossing was 50MPH and I was slowing down for a 45 MPH restriction at Craig interlocker. All we could do was brace our self’s. The last thing I remember was the front of the engine going up in the air. We hit the truck at the rear duals and I do remember the engine being pulled and raised to right. The switch might have been damaged but the point of derailment was in the crossing. Also the cars in the train went down the main line albeit derailed but still down the main.

      When I woke the ice chest was above me and in my confusion I opened it to get a can of water. But all the ice and water fell out of the container on me. The brakeman was standing over me wanting to know how many fingers he was sticking up. I told him and he said he was glad I was conscious because he was afraid he was going to have to do mouth to mouth recitation, at which we both got a good laugh. I believe we went out a rear window and were taken to a hospital for observation. The head brakeman was a new man and he decided railroading was not his thing! He quit. I retired in 2003 (the 2nd time) never regretting working for the railroad.

      Thanks for the pictures Steve. It brought back good memories!

      Jerome Lutzenberger-OKC
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  • Album:
    460 vs Semi Sand Truck
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    Steve40cal
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    Jan 2, 2011
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