"Blue Line Derailment", Bloomington, MN

[NP Eddie]

ALL:

This was a three car light rail train. Each car is (are) two articulated units. Most Blue line trains are three car trains due to the increased ridership and platforms had to be expanded to accommodate them.

WCCO-TV has video of this derailment, but it does not show much, just a single one car train sitting by itself. However, the car derailed into a vertical power pole which makes the repairs slower.

One might check MetroTransit.org for more information.

I can't answer why did lead car did not derail.

Ed Burns

[NorthWest]

Paul, I think that the train involved is a light rail vehicle. The trains usually consist of two vehicles coupled together, of which each vehicle has one articulated joint, making it a four car train.

[Paul_D_North_Jr]

Title 49 - Transportation of the CFR, Chapter II = Parts 200 - 299 is the FRA's rules - see: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collectionCfr.action?collectionCode=CFR&searchPath=Title+49%2FSubtitle+B%2FChapter+II&oldPath=Title+49%2FSubtitle+B&isCollapsed=true&selectedYearFrom=2013&ycord=1911 

However, this basically transit operation might be within the purview of the FTA - Chapter VI, Parts 600 - 665 - http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collectionCfr.action?collectionCode=CFR&searchPath=Title+49%2FSubtitle+B%2FChapter+Vi&oldPath=Title+49%2FSubtitle+B%2FChapter+II&isCollapsed=true&selectedYearFrom=2013&ycord=1911 

The law making that tampering a federal crime is more likely in the "United States Code" (a codification of laws/ statutes, etc.).  It would take more time than I have right now to find the exact citation - probably something related to interference with interstate transportation or commerce, etc.

How come the piece of steel didn't derail the 1st car ?  Was the locomotive leading or trailing - and if leading, what did it do to the obstacle ?

- Paul North. 

[NP Eddie]

All:

This afternoon a "Blue Line" (MOA to Minneapolis) derailed the center car of a three car train.

The St. Paul newspaper states that Metro Transit thinks a piece of steel was placed on one of the rails causing the truck to derail.

What is the CFR Part 49 (or other part) regarding tampering with track, etc. to cause a derailment? I assume this is a Federal crime.

I looked on line at Part 49 and could not find any reference to railroads.

Ed Burns