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Amtrak train breaks apart at 125 mph

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Posted by gmpullman on Tuesday, February 6, 2018 3:37 PM

Victrola1
A high-speed Amtrak train bound for Penn Station broke apart as it was cruising through Maryland

At least the Baltimore Sun had the decency to use the more appropriate term "Uncoupled"...

http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bs-md-train-uncoupled-20180206-story.html

When I hear "Broke Apart" I'm more inclined to think of something akin to the Space Shuttle.

Regards, Ed

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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 6, 2018 3:08 PM

7j43k
It's pretty clear the drawbar didn't break. Maybe they should drop the pin down from above, instead of inserting it from below. Then it CAN'T drop out.

If the pin breaks at the right point it can drop out too although it was inserted from above.

Both scenarios a frightening enough.
Regards, Volker

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Posted by NKP guy on Tuesday, February 6, 2018 3:01 PM

   The SC crash of #91 doesn't seem to be Amtrak's fault, but this one sure seems to be.  Or more accurately,  once again, the fault of an individual.  How can human error ever be eliminated?

   Still, what terrible PR for Amtrak.  Maybe an Exorcist or voodoo priest ought to be called in as a Consultant.

    

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Posted by Victrola1 on Tuesday, February 6, 2018 2:41 PM

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Posted by 7j43k on Tuesday, February 6, 2018 2:22 PM

It's pretty clear the drawbar didn't break.  Maybe they should drop the pin down from above, instead of inserting it from below.  Then it CAN'T drop out.

Contrary to the assertion in the article, I REALLY doubt anyone would have "fallen through" when this happened.  First, BOTH halves of the train were going 125 mph, so the gap is going to take more than a fraction of a second to open up.  Second, anyone standing there is going to automatically get their squishy little bodies somewhere else REALLY quickly.  Maybe inside a fraction of a second.

 

Ed

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Posted by richg1998 on Tuesday, February 6, 2018 1:52 PM

Sigh. Hoses kept it together.

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

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Posted by Firelock76 on Tuesday, February 6, 2018 1:43 PM

Well, as my mother would say, "Jesus, Mary and Joseph!"

Is there no end to this?

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Amtrak train breaks apart at 125 mph
Posted by Victrola1 on Tuesday, February 6, 2018 1:28 PM

A high-speed Amtrak train bound for Penn Station broke apart as it was cruising through Maryland on Tuesday, sources told The Post.

The 2150 Acela was traveling from Washington D.C. to the Big Apple when the incident happened at about 6:30 a.m. The train was traveling at about 125 mph, according to the source........

https://nypost.com/2018/02/06/amtrak-train-breaks-apart-at-125-mph/

More bad press for Amtrak. No injuries, or worse, reported. 

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