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This Just in from Connecticut...

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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, May 19, 2013 12:13 PM

BroadwayLion

There are parallel tracks, there are no switches in this area, MAS is 75.

ROAR

 
In have no knowledge of the area, but there is some overhead video that seems to show a double crossover on the bridge close to the collision point.  It also looks like switch points are visible almost at the collision point, but it is hard to be sure.  It could just be disrupted rail resulting from the collision. 
 
I would think that people here familiar with that area could readily confirm whether or not switches exist at the derailment site.  Is there some other explantion for what the video shows that appear to be switches? 

 

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Posted by henry6 on Sunday, May 19, 2013 11:14 AM

What "lots of questions"?  Only one question: what caused the wreck?   You have, DMUINCT presented an initial and partial answer:  The eastbound train apparently derailed fouling the westbound track and was struck by the westbound train.  Initial and partial and very much conjecture until the railroad and investigating agencies give us their final answers.  But you have given us a very plausible answer or scenario which has happened man times before.  So the next question is: why did the eastbound train derail?  And that will lead to the final answers.

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Posted by DMUinCT on Sunday, May 19, 2013 10:56 AM
Indications are that the eastbound train on the outside track departed Fairfield Station an was up to about 40mph when it went on the ground. The train remained upright with few injuries. Then a west bound 8 car train being fleeted on the other east bound track came on the derailment and did not clear, it sideswiped the derailed train. Both normal westbound tracks are out of service for upgrades to the Catenary and Track. This line sees over 100 passenger trains a day and freights at night. Lots of questions to answer.

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Posted by BroadwayLion on Saturday, May 18, 2013 9:18 PM

There are parallel tracks, there are no switches in this area, MAS is 75. Each train was on its own tracks, and MNCR trains have cab signals. All is recorded on the little black boxes.

One of the cars was brand new from the manufacturer just two weeks ago.

ROAR

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Posted by BaltACD on Saturday, May 18, 2013 8:55 PM

Bucyrus

 

 

 

Is there any theory as to why the first train derailed? 

Most recent press article I read is speculating on a broken rail.  Further investigation is taking place.

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Posted by rcdrye on Saturday, May 18, 2013 7:00 PM

There are powered switches at Green's Farms (47.2), Southport (48.9),.Fairfield (where the crash ocurred) (50.6).

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Saturday, May 18, 2013 6:46 PM

According to my SPV there is not a CP near the derailment location. CPs at Bridgeport  (CP255)  && Westport (CP 244 ) are closest.. The loose rail that we are observing is probably removed rail from the bridge that is being replaced.  Does anyone know if the bridge that the derailment occurred has been replaced yet ?

Now a broken rail has been found and will be investigated.

http://news.yahoo.com/official-broken-rail-eyed-conn-train-crash-220910803.html

  

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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, May 18, 2013 6:45 PM

 

 

 

Is there any theory as to why the first train derailed? 

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Posted by John WR on Saturday, May 18, 2013 6:25 PM

Norm48327
Did this conflict occure because one train derailed and ran into another train?

According to the news reports that is exactly what did happen.  And the train that derailed had a large part of the side sheared off of one car.  

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Posted by AgentKid on Saturday, May 18, 2013 6:11 PM

Seems to me that because this is a double track line, each train would have authority on its' own line in its' direction of travel. But when one train basically jumps into the path of an opposing train, a collision will occur. Yet another example where PTC would be of no help.

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Posted by Norm48327 on Saturday, May 18, 2013 6:07 PM

"Did this conflict occure because one train derailed and ran into another train?

--Or--

Did this conflict occur because one train overran its authority and struck another train?"

That's what NTSB wants to know.

Norm


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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, May 18, 2013 5:45 PM

zugmann

Bucyrus

tree68

I'm hearing (informally) that it was a derailment.

Which train derailed first?

The one that got hit.

 

Maybe I should rephrase my question: 

Did this conflict occure because one train derailed and ran into another train?

--Or--

Did this conflict occur because one train overran its authority and struck another train?

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Posted by zugmann on Saturday, May 18, 2013 5:34 PM

Bucyrus

tree68

I'm hearing (informally) that it was a derailment.

 

Which train derailed first?

The one that got hit.

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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, May 18, 2013 5:33 PM

tree68

I'm hearing (informally) that it was a derailment.

 

Which train derailed first?

I am wondering if a train picked a switch or somehow derailed when passing through a switch; and that caused the train to foul the route of another train.

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Posted by tree68 on Saturday, May 18, 2013 5:15 PM

I'm hearing (informally) that it was a derailment.

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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, May 18, 2013 10:33 AM

Did one train initially derail and come into conflict with the other train; or did one train first foul the route of the other by entering a conflicting route?

The aerial view seems to suggest that latter.

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Posted by John WR on Saturday, May 18, 2013 8:14 AM

According to this morning's newspaper, the eastbound train derailed near the border of Fairfield and Bridgeport, CT.  The westbound train then hit the derailed train.  About 60 people were injured and a few had serious injuries..  

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Posted by DMUinCT on Saturday, May 18, 2013 7:50 AM
ConnDOT tracks, two of the four tracks out of service to re-string Catenary, a work zone. The side swipe was as it passed under the Interstate 95 overpass. The self propelled railcars were a new type less than a year old. NTSB has got a handful on this one.

Don U. TCA 73-5735

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Posted by rcdrye on Saturday, May 18, 2013 6:37 AM

This looks like another accident type that would NOT be prevented by PTC.

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Posted by Overmod on Saturday, May 18, 2013 6:24 AM

Look at the Google map image for this location; it shows the (considerable!) bridge work in progress.  At the time of the image I see, the deck for the track the EB train was on was removed (showing the road underneath clearly) and you can see the break in the concrete-tied track.    

Incidentally, can somebody explain to me why a double crossover would be placed on a bridge?

If I read the map correctly, this was close to the Fairfield Metro station, so relatively limited speed.  It will be interesting to see the digital re-creations of this incident -- especially regarding how so deep a 'bite' could be taken out of the carbody with the trains remaining so substantially parallel.

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Posted by Randy Stahl on Saturday, May 18, 2013 5:30 AM

Looks more like a derailment than a collision. I think the crews for the most part are off the hook , however I'm sure that there will be a normal investigation concerning the crews. Next up .. drug and background checks for car inspectors and track inspectors...

 

Randy

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Posted by zugmann on Saturday, May 18, 2013 5:19 AM

edblysard

Well,

Let’s hope neither of the train’s engineers were the slightest bit overweight, had any medical issues at all, and never worked an evening night or split shift.

Oh boy.  Let's see what the next great crusade from the NTSB will be.

It's been fun.  But it isn't much fun anymore.   Signing off for now. 


  

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Posted by edblysard on Saturday, May 18, 2013 5:16 AM

Well,

Let’s hope neither of the train’s engineers were the slightest bit overweight, had any medical issues at all, and never worked an evening night or split shift.

23 17 46 11

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Posted by narig01 on Friday, May 17, 2013 10:19 PM

PS The lat and long : 41.16758, -73.21658

Rgds IGN

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Posted by narig01 on Friday, May 17, 2013 10:07 PM

This is some overhead shots:

http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/bestoftv/2013/05/18/raw-train-derailment-aerials.wabc.html

Looks like the 3rd and 4th cars derailed on the eastbound.

Hope everyone survives this.

Comment site was where Metro North was doing a bridge replacement.  Not sure if this is Conn Dot or Amtrak tracks..

Rgds IGN

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This Just in from Connecticut...
Posted by ChuckCobleigh on Friday, May 17, 2013 8:58 PM

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