Incident Report

Subject:                         COAL TRAIN        

Date of Email reporting Incident:   Wed 17/12/2003 09:51

Report Detail:

Good news: It was a normal day in Sharon Springs, Ks when a Union Pacific crew boarded a LOADED coal train to head on the long trek back to Salina.

Bad news: Just a few miles into the trip a wheel bearing becomes overheated and melts off letting the truck support drop down and grind on top of the rail creating white hot molten metal droppings to spew downward on the rail.

Good news: A very alert crew noticed a small amount of smoke about halfway back in the train and immediately stopped the train in compliance with federal rules.

Bad news: The train just happened to stop with the hot wheel on top of a WOODEN trestle built with creosoted ties, bents, and trusses.

Linked Documents:

Coal Train PowerPoint Presentation