Audio tape of conversations with a runaway CN train.

[CrazyDiamond]

Some people romance with the thoughts of being a train engineer or conductor....but it is reality like this that they should keep in mind. Our jobs can be fun and cool sometimes, but they are always down right serious business, and occasionally can turn deadly.

[CNW 6000]

Unreal...shocking. Note the part where Wes says something like " ...they can put me on pension after this one..." I can hardly blame him! I have visions of the movie "Runaway Train" (the one set in Alaska) after hearing/reading this.

[tohowalk]

I have been on this topic for almost an hour now - listened to the tape, read the transcript. Then I read almost all the followup articles and reports. I am still waiting for the goosebumps to go away - very powerful stuff.

[Anonymous]

I read the script. I'm just glad to know that he made it out of the engine alright. I would be terrified if I was on a runaway train. He is a very brave person for staying on board the locomotive.

[coborn35]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Safety Valve

I have a curiosity as to the Braking system.

As a trucker I am trained to use several strageties in event of a downgrade problem up to and including escape ramps if availible.

But in this specific case, I have to ask working engineers as to why there was no recovery of the train air or at least locomotive air. Is it possible that the train's air system was so compromised as to allow the entire consist to freely run away with no hope?

Switching a mine, no air was used. Resulting from that derailment, CN made a new set of rules. One of which was that air must be used with a certain amout/weight of cars.


Im really surpirsed noone on here has heard it! I listened to it around 5 years ago!!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Wesely

...I only stayed (with the train) because there were three level crossings to go over. I kept blowing the whistle...I could have jumped off when we were only going 11 miles an hour.

I read through a bunch of the notes and additional stories on that site...the air brakes (to the train) were not hooked up...apparently the engineer tried to climb up onto the first car to manually set the train brakes and couldn't quite make it up. It was already up around 60mph or so by that point. That site has a ton of additional info and cross-stories on the whole thing... Truely amazing! At least he was cleared of any wrong doing in the end.

[canazar]

Wow... I listened and read along. Amazing. Just amazing.

[edblysard]

Sounds like they were working a switch move in the mine...maybe doubling over to another cut , and often, such moves are made with out the air brakes cut in or the hoses laced up...it got away from him at some point, and he realized that applying the locomotive brakes would do nothing, he was saving them just in case he had a "chance" to get it stopped.

Gotta give the guy credit, he has a lot more guts than most.

Ed

[Anonymous]

I have a curiosity as to the Braking system.

As a trucker I am trained to use several strageties in event of a downgrade problem up to and including escape ramps if availible.

But in this specific case, I have to ask working engineers as to why there was no recovery of the train air or at least locomotive air. Is it possible that the train's air system was so compromised as to allow the entire consist to freely run away with no hope?

[adrianspeeder]

Amazing story!

Adrianspeeder

[solzrules]

That was scary, amazing, and excellent example of bravery!

[CrazyDiamond]

I was kinda surprised when the Assist Sup instructed to not move the train once it stopped. [:0]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by PBenham

That was riveting listening! Too bad they had to put him through what they put him through. I know rules are rules, but it could have been handled more humanely. I would have been a zombie after going through that!

The dispatcher cannot very well run out of his tower to save the train now could he?

In situations where human life is at risk sometimes the only thing the support personel can do is wait and Pray. Yes there are many rules and possibly some kind of punishment but after such a ride like the one Wes took it really does not matter in the aftermath.

I am just happy everyone got thru without loss of life. The can pack the typewriter away far as I am concerned.

[eolafan]

Absolutely unbelieveable to be sure....this has got to be the most exciting thing I have ever encountered on any railroading web site at any time. God bless Wesley for riding it all the way.

[PBenham]

That was riveting listening! Too bad they had to put him through what they put him through. I know rules are rules, but it could have been handled more humanely. I would have been a zombie after going through that!

[Anonymous]

A little exciting eh what?

Glad everyone got thru. I probably would have rode it all the way since it was over 30 mph anyhow.

[CrazyDiamond]

The turn up head just before going into the wye is where he derailed :



Aftermath:



More pics here:
http://www.cwrr.com/Lounge/Feature/runaway/photos.html

[CSXrules4eva]

WoW I don't think I've ever heard anything like this before, not over the scanner anyway. WILD is the right word for it.

Well, God Bless everyone involved. I can only imagine what a runaway like this must feel like, oh man I would be as nervous as all heck. I think this is one experience I don't ever want to encounter.

Chad I think your right in that situation I would of ridden it out also.

[miniwyo]

Holy Crap! That was nuts! I would ride it out too.

[Anonymous]

That is an Increadable story. God bless that man.

[chad thomas]

That is WILD. Off the hook WILD. Makes you wonder what you would do in that situation, jump or ride it out. I think I would have ridden it out too.

[CrazyDiamond]

Click here to hear the audio file of the conversations with the engineer of a runaway CN train:
http://www.cwrr.com/Lounge/Feature/runaway/runaway.html

Click here to read the audio transcript:
http://www.cwrr.com/Lounge/Feature/runaway/trans.html

Here is the rest of the story:
http://www.cwrr.com/Lounge/Feature/runaway/index.html