Long version w/Audio! Train wrecks because of open switch
October 9, 2006 - Cactus, Texas.
Picture of aftermath:
http://img362.imageshack.us/my.php?image=10906wreckes0.jpg
A BNSF Railway southward loaded coal train, operating at 36 mph, entered an occupied siding through a switch mistakenly left open, in non-signal territory and struck cars that were sitting there.
As a result of the collision, 26 cars and two locomotives were derailed, both crewmen were injured and damages estimated to exceed $1,000,000.
The south bound coal train, having just past the crossing at Tumbleweed road, was operated at approximately 36 mph approaching the accident area. The train crews view of the track ahead was not obstructed, it was dusk, and rain had fallen earlier in the area to make the rail lightly wet. As the crew cleared the crossing gates at Tumbleweed road the trained continued to travel south on the track approximately 800 ft before realizing the main track switch 3638 was lined in the reverse position.
The engineer and conductor observed the reverse switch target simultaneously and called it out in unison and the engineer moved the automatic brake lever to
emergency. Both the engineer and conductor got down as low as possible on the floor of the cab and braced for impact with the cars in the siding. The train had slowed to 32 mph when the collision occurred. The speeds were recorded by the event recorder of the second locomotive due to the severe damage on the leading locomotive.
After the train came to a stop the lead locomotive was on its side with the engineer and conductor still in the cab but on top of each other from the collision. The conductor was able to squeeze through the front window and drop to the ground and walk to the second unit, still upright..the conductor walked back to lead unit and climbed up on the engineers door where he was able to pry the door open with his body and help the engineer out onto the ground. The train service crew then walked back up the west side of the track for approximately 200 yards to where they could cross over through the cars on the main to the east side of the track where emergency personnel were waiting. Separate ambulances took both engineer and conductor to local Dumas hospital for treatment. The engineer received treatment and was released while the conductor was moved onto Amarillo Northwestern hospital for further treatment and observation.
Special thanks to youtuber “bonovoxu23″ for most of the details here.
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21 Responses to “Long version w/Audio! Train wrecks because of open switch”
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You obviously have no idea what you’re talking about joshnme…
Actually, the switch is closed. The point being against the left stock rail, hence the train diverting its path. Had the switch been open, the train would go straight.
Should have read the iron in advance. No signals????????
I am a train engineer for NJ Transit. I think you’re quite right, this is very amusing. May I invite you to go for a ride on my train someday? You haven’t lived until you’ve been pushed out the door of a moving train. Trust me. Now THAT would be funny.
I feel bad for the engineer and conductor who the caption says were on the train. I’ve read that, even if they’re physically ok, anyone in a wreck like this or even hitting a car at a crossing is almost never mentally ok.
If you worked for the Railroad you would know that jumping is the worst idea! The engine is safer than you may think!
if it isn’t then it’s pretty damn close. that just goes to show you that even the most safest, technological, most advanced train ride can end in horror.
at 2:42 he slamms the brakes, so he only has what 5 seconds. I hoped he jumped, i would.
imposible, he die, the colision was amazing and terrible, is a shame :(, my dad was a driver railroad and he think no way to live.
ha!hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhha!
at 2:50 you see the car dent bad!
thats terrible…
Dear Lord! I really hope the train engineer lived through this crash. He had less than 5 seconds to react…yikes
Wasn’t the deadliest train crash in the world in Germany? Google: Eschede train disaster.
ouh, i saw the picture. it doesnt lokk good…
Next minute of what? The camera looking at the ground through the broken window? The view of the ground probably lasts for hours. Please view video description for a picture.
Do you have the next minute of this video? and where you get it?
Wishes from Germany
i live in cactus texas(the place of the crash) and let me tell ya the **** looke horrible….i dont know what happend to the conductors but if the looked n e thing like the trains…poor dudes
Rarely used track. No signals. Wikipedia: Dark Territory.
what about the ice crash fonzi?
ummmmm… no signals are red? ***?!