I always thought this curve was derailment prone due to how tight it is. Was that the cause here?
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Looks like a brand new tanker never had a chance to get dirty.
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| Posted by SES on March 19, 2018 | |
....and the tanker looks to be brand new or at least freshly painted.
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Is this a "string line" accident?
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| Posted by Jorge on March 19, 2018 | |
What is a "string line" accident?
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Looks like it. (If I can explain this right) it's caused when a train is pulled hard on the front and the heavier/loads trail lighter/less heavy cars in front of them. The curve is such that its' curvature causes the lighter to tip in the lightest area. If you have a model railroad, put a few empty flat cars behind a couple cars from the lead power. Then put 15-20 heavier ones behind the flats. Pull the train around a fairly tight curve and you'll see it happen there too.
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I noticed the overturned cars couplers were still attatched. Is that typical of stringline derailments?
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A string line accident happens if you have lightly loaded or empty cars in between loaded cars or at the head-end, with loaded cars behind. The weight of the loaded cars can pull the empties over on a curve, in other words, they take the line of least resistance, pull a piece of string that is curved and it will straighten, hence the name. If you have several empty cars, you should always marshall them at the end of the train.
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As a person who’s hometown has been Portland and a rail fan...sure looks like a string line incident to me. But hey, what do I know? Nothing. If you have ever stood at this curve, the flange noise can be unbearable. Very, very tight turn...
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Hello, GATX? Ummm, about your new tank car.....
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That curve looks unbelievably tight. It looks model railroad tight. I wouldn't doubt that trains stringline on this curve.
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