Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Stop the train

The Good news:
It was a normal day in Sharon Springs , KS. When a Union Pacific crew boarded a loaded coal train for the long trek to Salina ..

The Bad news:
Just a few miles into the trip a wheel bearing became overheated and melted, letting a metal support drop down and grind on the rail, creating white hot molten metal droppings spewing down to the rail.

The Good news:
A very alert crew noticed smoke about halfway back in the train and immediately stopped the train in compliance with the rules.

The Bad news:
The train stopped with the hot wheel over a wooden bridge with creosote ties and trusses





RULES ARE RULES!
But, don't let common sense get in the way of a good disaster!

Cheers to Andy for this

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