U.P. Train derails in Minnesota

[Euclid]

http://www.startribune.com/train-derailment-prompts-evacuation-of-ellendale-in-southern-minnesota/400823821/

[blue streak 1]

Not enough information but wonder if the lumber carriers were leading the derailment ?

[Euclid]

I suspect the lumber cars were on the leading side of the derailment.

For that first lumber car to have its end way down in the ditch with no car attached to that end indicates that the train parted at that joint and the cars ahead stayed on the track as they pulled away.  Then the leading lumber car, which was derailed, jackknifed and shoved the leading end down into the ditch. 

If the train had been heading the opposite direction, the end lumber car would not have jackknifed once the train parted.  Instead, it would have dragged more or less in line with the track.

[Norm48327]

Isn't it grand that we have someone who can investigate from a few hundred miles away and tell us exactly why the train derailed?

[dehusman]

Norm48327

Isn't it grand that we have someone who can investigate from a few hundred miles away and tell us exactly why the train derailed?

 

 

Euclid didn't say WHY they derailed.  He just guessed on the direction the train was traveling based on the position of the cars.

 

PS.  He was correct.

[Euclid]

Norm,

If the lumber car nearest the photo camera were on the trailing end of the pileup, another car (not shown) would have had to have pushed the uncoupled end of the lumber car out to where it is about 30 feet from the track line.  That other car would have had to have been derailed in order to move the lumber car end way off of the track as it is. 

Since the photo shows the site before no cleanup has started, that other car would be shown (if it ever existed).  Since it is not shown, it never existed.  And if it never existed, the lumber car end could not have moved 30 feet off of the track line if this were the trailing end of the pileup.  So this has to be the leading end of the pileup. 

Either shortly before or after the derailment began, the train parted at the near end of the nearest lumber car.  Probably the truck on that nearest end was the first to derail.  As that car was shoved ahead with its lead truck on the ground and nothing coupled to it in front, it was certain to jackknife due to its complete loss of forward guidance. 

[Sonofahoghead]

Full agreement with Euclid.  Makes total sense to me.