BNSF Derails at Vado N.M. Dec. 2 ,2020

[blue streak 1]

SD70Dude

I'd like to know who decided to run the traction motor cables on the bottom of the fuel tank.  

So would I.   That IMO is a major design fault that any maintenance man would flag.  Sometimes acceptance inspectors do not have the line experience to spot these kinds of mistakes.  As a line pilot inspector I often drove overhaul facilities crazy pointing out problems.  One of my pet peaves is the  installation of magnetic screws within 30 inches of the compass remote sensors.

My boss often called me in to recognize that I kept the overhaul facilities honest.  He liked them complaining that I was too strict.

[SD70Dude]

A loader, hoe or dozer is considered essential household yard equipment up here, practically everyone has at least one!

Hindsight being 20/20, someone probably activated the MU engine shutdown feature.  They probably could have gotten the trailing unit to start by pulling the jumper cable between it and the train, but in the heat of the moment who thinks of that?  Better to focus on protecting the train and smashing windows to get passengers out. 

If the Engineer ceased bailing off, it is quite possible that the brake application caused the wheels to start skidding at a speed as high as 30 mph.  Or the fire burned out some wiring or a sensor, as the TSB speculated.

I'd like to know who decided to run the traction motor cables on the bottom of the fuel tank. 

[Overmod]

Pretty evident that the first-aid kits and the signage were 'political quality' -- never actually intended to be used in an emergency.  The story of the alloy stainless hammer too soft to fracture the emergency window would be laughable, if it weren't so closely tragic.

I would note that the analysts were bang-on (no pun intended) regarding compartmentalized tanks, protected crossover piping and valves, and probably in some sort of sealing bladders.  I also note that it was common practice for just these sorts of reason that the speed recorder drive was taken off the leading axle, one which in this case wouldn't have 'seen' any particular diesel-fuel-induced wheelslip below 30-40mph as observed.

Where else but in Canada does the hero homeowner make a wheelchair road with his handy front-end loader in just minutes?

I want to find whoever it was that got those two locomotives to safety interlock, break his cane over his head, and shoot his dog.  While it might not have been possible to pull or push the consist free of the 'flame zone' I'd suspect that neither the aluminum shell of the car or the plastic interior were designed to sustain combustion, and much less damage and risk would have ensued without the puddles of ignited fuel.

I still can't figure why one of the attendants didn't come into the rear of the coach, open a second door, and call to the passengers stuck trying to get out that forward door from the coach.  

[blue streak 1]

SD70Dude

https://www.tsb-bst.gc.ca/eng/rapports-reports/rail/1994/r94t0357/r94t0357.html

Not exactly a glowing review of the LRC design either.

 

As a retired airline employee I find the lack of proper emergency equipment  even at the date of 1994 complletely inadequate.  

1.  First aid kits are sealed and must be restocked if seal broken.  There however is a kit for everyday use that is not sealed for band aids and small every day reasons,  If emergency kit used must be reported on cabin discrepancy form.  Does VIA even have such ?  Or Amtrak ?

2.  Emergency lighting was highly inadequate with no exit path lighting on floor.  That is because smoke will fill top of car first which is most often the case of fire.  Applies to your home as well.

3.  aircraft have outside lights that come on in case of lost power that illuminates wings and all doorways.  System has a disarm function off, armed, on. Lights recharded when power is on.   .  Slides have lighting as well but that is not called for on train cars.

4.  The lack of a handhold son the sliding doors orientated to opening the doors instintively are needed.  At least 2 so more than one person can help open.

5.  Cannot believe fuel tanks were closer to rail than the pilot.

6.  Having to break emergency windows not good.  Have observed Amtrak emergency windows with the pull handle that removes the rubber around the window allowing the window to be pushed out.  

[SD70Dude]

This incident didn't result in a derailment, but it nearly killed a number of passengers.

https://www.tsb-bst.gc.ca/eng/rapports-reports/rail/1994/r94t0357/r94t0357.html

Not exactly a glowing review of the LRC design either.

[zugmann]

Murphy Siding

I'm surprised that running over some railroad ties would derail a train. I thought that only happened in old Disney movies.

Maybe a case of hard braking and slack action?  

[caldreamer]

I woild tie who ever did this by the anl;es to the back of a locomotive and drag him cross county, bouncing all the way.  The potential of causing a catastropy with all of the hazmat that is tranported by rail is too high.

[Overmod]

I remember a serious GG1 derailment pictured in Trains Magazine in the '60s that was said to be caused by a crosstie strategically wedged.

[NP Eddie]

Any item placed on the rails can potentially derail a train. I don't go into details as it might give too many people ideas. When I started on the NP in April 1966 we still checked cars in the yard and that gave me a lot of knowledge regarding railroad operation.

Deliberatly derailing a train is a federal crime.

 

Ed Burns

Retired NP-BN-BNSF from Minneapolis.

[tree68]

zugmann

Over the years, I've run over lots of things people left on the tracks.  It's not always politically-motivated.

Some years ago, some Detroit area vandals famously published video of themselves throwing various items on the tracks.  As I recall, they waited until the head end had passed.  I don't think they caused any problems, though.

[Murphy Siding]

I'm surprised that running over some railroad ties would derail a train. I thought that only happened in old Disney movies.

[zugmann]

samfp1943

IS the Newswire considered a right wing news source?

Over the years, I've run over lots of things people left on the tracks.  It's not always politically-motivated. 

[samfp1943]

Picked up thios item fromthe TRAINS Newswire of Dec, 3rd (3d section)

Accirding to the dispatch \; at about 0420AM on the 2nd.  2 locomotives, and 12 cars of an empty train {auto racks?)_ derailed at a highway[Rt.189]/rail crossing at Vado,NM. South of Las Cruces, NM. [Article reports that two cross tiesw were intentionall placed on the tracks. ]

From the linked article in the Newswire report by KVIA-TV: FTL :"...UPDATE, Dec. 4: BNSF Railway on Friday announced a $10,000 reward to find the person believed responsible for causing a southern New Mexico train derailment by "intentionally placing railroad ties on the tracks..." An 800 number is listed to call BNSF with any information."

The Newswire article also links an article from KOAT-TV States that the wreck was at Vado NM this is 20 mi South of Las Cruces, and 30 Miles North of El Paso. Both article have photos at their links.

IS the Newswire considered a right wing news source?