Auto Train Derailment....

[Modelcar]

I see where rail traffic is moving thru the derailment area now on temp. track arrangement. I wonder how extensive the damage is to the Passenger cars and will Amtrak have the resorces to repair them, hence have the necessary equipment to continue the Auto Train opeation..?

QM

[Modelcar]

That really does make one wonder...doesn't it.

QM

[Soo2610]

Latest article I saw indicates that the lead engineer saw a rail kink and threw the train into full emergency. Seconds later the backup engineer and conductor felt the two engines and first two cars safely cross the kink and also threw the train into full emergency. I'm just kind of wondering if the train might have safely negotiated the rail kink if it hadn't been thrown into full emergency braking!

[BR60103]

I think I read somewhere that the passenger cars on Auto train have a different braking system to be compatible with the car haulers. (or is the car haulers?...) I think it's just the actuation part. Anyone know for sure?

David

[Modelcar]

Next time you are around a "modern" Passenger car take a look right behind the wheel and you will see a rather large size disc for the disc brake arrangement....

QM

[Anonymous]

I never knew that they had disc brakes for railcars.

[Modelcar]

I agree, the passenger cars probably have good brakes. I have watched them make up the A T there in Sanford many times and note they have disc brakes and I really doubt if the car haulers do...

QM

[Anonymous]

Story on the UP and elsewhere it was a sun kink, a problem associated with CWR. I have seen derailments on sun kinks that allowed engines and a few cars by. Buff forces could have contributed, and passenger equipment has very good brakes. I assume the auto carriers had decent, matching brake capabilities.

[Modelcar]

Still on the Auto Train Accident...From the photos taken from the air it appears the brakes were more effective in the Passenger Cars than in the Car Haulers....since it looks like the Car haulers forced the cars forward of them off the tracks, perhaps they wern't stopping at the same rate.
QM

[RudyRockvilleMD]

According to an article in the April 19 Washington Post CSX inspected the track on the morning of April 18, and a roadmaster rode a passenger train over that same segment approximately 2 hours before the derailment occurred. So we won't know the real cause of the derailment until the NTSB makes its results known.

[Modelcar]

I understand the Engineer sited a misalignment in the track ahead and applied the train brake into Emergency...If that is so, wonder how the 2 engines and 2 cars made it through without derailing...? Any ideas..?