meazza Posted July 8, 2013 Posted July 8, 2013 http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/07/07/we-know-there-will-be-more-deaths-death-toll-climbs-to-three-in-quebec-train-explosion/ RIP
meazza Posted July 8, 2013 Author Posted July 8, 2013 Terrible tragedy, RIP. Reports say close to 45 people missing.
boyst Posted July 8, 2013 Posted July 8, 2013 Horrible story. Our friends to the North will triumph - they are a proud and strong people.
Beerball Posted July 8, 2013 Posted July 8, 2013 Reports say close to 45 people missing. Anything more been said about 'how' the train got there? Did it start rolling on its own? Assume that the engineer screwed something up?
mead107 Posted July 8, 2013 Posted July 8, 2013 Parked to change crews. Cars separated from engine and rolled down hill is what I saw on TV.
meazza Posted July 8, 2013 Author Posted July 8, 2013 Anything more been said about 'how' the train got there? Did it start rolling on its own? Assume that the engineer screwed something up? Not much information as of yet. I have a colleague whose girlfriend was born there. She pretty much knew most of the people confirmed dead.
BuffaloBill Posted July 8, 2013 Posted July 8, 2013 What a horrible situation that has been mostly overshadowed by the SFO plane crash.
meazza Posted July 8, 2013 Author Posted July 8, 2013 What a horrible situation that has been mostly overshadowed by the SFO plane crash. One of those final destination type freak accidents. At this point they say it could be years just to identify the victims.
eball Posted July 8, 2013 Posted July 8, 2013 Just terrifying. And that article indicates a "busy nightclub" was flattened.
meazza Posted July 8, 2013 Author Posted July 8, 2013 Just terrifying. And that article indicates a "busy nightclub" was flattened. Yes http://http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/07/07/wall-of-fire-engulfed-bar-that-has-become-ground-zero-for-quebec-rail-disaster-that-killed-at-least-five-people/ When Mr. Gagné left the bar, there were about 50 customers inside and 30 on the patio. Some would have gone home before the derailment, but dozens remained. “They won’t find anyone [alive],” he said. “It’s impossible. People are waiting for news, but a fire at that temperature, nothing remains. It melts cars.”... He saw a man running back toward the Musi-Café because he believed his girlfriend was inside. “A fireman and I grabbed him to pull him away,” he said. “I took him, and said, ‘Look. I’m sorry, but your girlfriend is dead. You have to get out. At least save your life.’ He left, but then he fell to his knees and cried.”
MarkyMannn Posted July 8, 2013 Posted July 8, 2013 Here is the detail so far from RR forums. Eastbound train of 5 engines and 73 oil cars parks in a siding 7 miles west of town. Engineer leaves about midnight, ties down train brakes and leaves one of 5 engines running so as to re-charge air brake system. That 5th engine an hour later catches fire, local FD responds. To stop fuel from pumping into the fire they turn off the engine, douse the fire. Shortly brake air bleeds off. Some minutes later a trackside resident sees the train going by, lights out, high speed, heading towards the town. Engine and maybe 12 cars make it through the town, train splits and other cars run into propane cars in a siding causing explosions. FD says they left the engine in the care of railroad men, not sure what the MMA RR is saying at this time
KD in CA Posted July 8, 2013 Posted July 8, 2013 I seems odd to me that a loaded 70+ car train would ever be parked and left unattended; especially on a graded track. Terrible story....RIP
drinkTHEkoolaid Posted July 9, 2013 Posted July 9, 2013 Here is the detail so far from RR forums. Eastbound train of 5 engines and 73 oil cars parks in a siding 7 miles west of town. Engineer leaves about midnight, ties down train brakes and leaves one of 5 engines running so as to re-charge air brake system. That 5th engine an hour later catches fire, local FD responds. To stop fuel from pumping into the fire they turn off the engine, douse the fire. Shortly brake air bleeds off. Some minutes later a trackside resident sees the train going by, lights out, high speed, heading towards the town. Engine and maybe 12 cars make it through the town, train splits and other cars run into propane cars in a siding causing explosions. FD says they left the engine in the care of railroad men, not sure what the MMA RR is saying at this time On trains the air pressure in the brake system keeps the brakes from being applied. Once air is removed the brakes will function. It's supposed to act as a fail safe that if a train loses air pressure the brakes will go to their default position which is to brake. Train cars are also equipped with manual hand brakes which can be applied separately . Typically trains will need to maintain constant air pressure or train crews will be forced to perform a brake check before the train can be moved which can be very time consuming, so most likely the engine was left running to maintain air pressure to prevent the brake inspection before the next crew took over. If you are curious to read of another train disaster Wikipedia the " graniteville SC train derailment"
BuffaloBill Posted July 9, 2013 Posted July 9, 2013 If you are curious to read of another train disaster Wikipedia the " graniteville SC train derailment" Also look at bleve though do not know if this was an issue in this incident.
San Jose Bills Fan Posted July 9, 2013 Posted July 9, 2013 On trains the air pressure in the brake system keeps the brakes from being applied. Once air is removed the brakes will function. It's supposed to act as a fail safe that if a train loses air pressure the brakes will go to their default position which is to brake. On the trucks I've driven, the system is the same.
Beerball Posted July 9, 2013 Posted July 9, 2013 http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/07/08/19354278-death-toll-rises-to-13-in-canadian-derailment-railways-chief-alleges-train-was-tampered-with
BuffaloBill Posted July 9, 2013 Posted July 9, 2013 It is interesting to see that the national press has treated this as a small story next to the plane crash. It is most mind boggling as this disaster was far worse and the one that is more likely to be repeated. I think about living in Knoxville and there is a major rail line that goes through the middle of the city. In one section right through multi million dollar homes and two golf courses. It moves very slowly and in this section they have mostly hidden it with trees and landscaping Our first house was only about 1/2 mile off of this section of track. .
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