Was the cause of the derailment ever determined?
Autoracks getting removed today as well as the start of a $10M bridge overhaul.
rdamon Unloading the cars out of the autoracks today
Unloading the cars out of the autoracks today
They're done with that part. Interesting approach - can't say as I'd have thought of using a container to shuttle the autos from the car to the ground.
Sounds like trucks for the racks may be on site.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
Google Earth views show a #24 or better crossover from the south to the north track which would be good for up to 50 MPH; which certainly was not happening. This suggests damage to the track or the lead locomotive was the cause.
Some drone footage would have been nice, but there's an airport nearby and this was right under one approach.
Thanks Brian,
That make more sense that they were crossing over from the south to the north track and they went on the ground crossing over.
Robert
As a regular viewer of the SFJ cameras, I'd like to make some corrections and updates based on my knowledge of the area.
The highline bridge where the derailment took place runs more or less east/west, at least that's how it's been referred to in the chat. The train that derailed was running westbound on the south track and (based on other watchers' ATCS observations) was lined to switch over to the north track on the crossover in question. After watching the VRF video and looking at satellite views, it was very apparent to me that the lead engine dropped off the rails right at the switch. I would venture to guess the diverging curved rail rolled out from under the lead engine, sending the train down on the ground over the top of the north rail of the south track, which is where the engines wound up. The jack-knifing autoracks then took out some of the north track as well.
Brian (IA) http://blhanel.rrpicturearchives.net.
1044 CDT first train over repaired tracks.
Herzog just ran this over the repaired line:
If you are using the road crossing that is visible on Camera #1 - you better have your head on a swivel for all the directions trains can be approaching that Crossbuck crossing.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Ran a large stack train on the other main around 04:40 CDT.
Haven't seen the Tamper since 06:00CDT
It was cool how they turned the ballest train on the lower deck.
tree68I think one poster on the YT feed said something about tamping going on.
Tamping started about 11:40 PM Wednesday and is moving along at the normal pace in a southerly direction. I suspect that traffic will be able to move in a couple of hours. I also suspect the crossover is temporarily gone.
EDIT: 12:36 AM, two BNSF engines and a string of 3-bay hoppers moving south behind the tamper. Correction, tamper is on the far track and BNSF on near track and creeping by the tamper now.
EDIT: It appears that the train is ballast cars, as I note the solar panels on the near side. Can't make out if they are dumping anything at this point.
ChuckCobleigh Looks like the Atlas snap track is pretty much in place at 9 PM, will have to see when traffic resumes, as MOW trucks still at the site. What a job those guys did!
Looks like the Atlas snap track is pretty much in place at 9 PM, will have to see when traffic resumes, as MOW trucks still at the site. What a job those guys did!
I'm guessing there will be traffic over the line by daylight. I think one poster on the YT feed said something about tamping going on.
It is a testament - something like that would be bad enough on the ground. Twenty plus feet in the air adds a twist, for sure.
What happens when crane operations are not coordinated -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR4LVWlO6U8
tree68Track hoes
GoodtimingDoes anyone have any idea of the cost to rent those 3 cranes from Wilkerson?
Suspect the wreck clearance contractors will get 6 figures or more for their manpower and services.
Does anyone have any idea of the cost to rent those 3 cranes from Wilkerson?
Track hoes have cleared the old track and are getting the old ballast out of the way.
Track panels are being dropped in place at this time. There is debate on the YT chat as to whether the crossover will be replaced at this time.
I'd say it's fortunate it happened where it happened. Any further along and they are working inside the truss over the river. Where they are now, they have ample railroad owned property already leveled and graveled to set their cranes.
I am really curious to learn what caused it. They were on the ground well before the cross over. At one point you can see something like a rail shoved up ahead of the lead unit, but that could be rail or ties from the track breaking as the locomotives plowed it up.
Hair raising ride for sure for that crew. Glad it wasn't worse.
Juniata ManWatching this process; I've been impressed by the skill and degree of coordination between the crane operators. Curt
Curt
If crane operators are less than highly skilled - people die or get seriously maimed.
Looks as if both engines and the 1st car are now on the rail and coupled awaiting movement off the bridge in one direction or the other.
Watching this process; I've been impressed by the skill and degree of coordination between the crane operators.
0730 CT - Both engines back on the rails.
By 4:30 am, it looks like the lead engine is back on rails and moved to the north a bit, two auto racks lifted off the bridge to the ground, another back on rails and moved south out of the picture. I'd say they're making good progress in a difficult situation.
How one of these cranes is prepared for lifting:
https://youtu.be/VXmbjzScw1o
There is a 500 Ton crane waiting for them to get the pad ready by the locomotives.
https://www.wilkersoncranerental.com/equipment/all-terrain-mobile-truck-cranes/liebherr-ltm-1400-71/
Heavy lift cranes in the process of moving the derailed racks from the bridge to the ground.
matthewsaggieBet the crew thought they might be going over the side while it was happening. Scary.
Train moved approximately 6 rack lenghts after the first sounds of the derailment can be heard - that is approximately 550 feet.
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