• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Major Train Wreck in Canada :(

#21
TOOL460002 said:
I should do the research... but I wonder if it still makes economic sense to transport fuel, or other flammable, or otherwise toxic chemicals by train, as opposed to plane.
Click to expand...

By my rough back-of-an-envelope reckoning, that train was carrying the best part of 6000 tons of light crude. I can't envisage any way of shifting that amount buy any other means short of a pipeline. Pipelines cost a heck of a lot to build & only go from A to B. Rail already exists, so technically costs nothing, and goes from A to Z via anywhere you want.

Air freight is only really viable for small quantities of high-value goods, & sometimes that goes tragically wrong, as in the case of El-Al 1862.

I see the Fire Chief has spoken up, his description of events makes interesting reading & asks more questions than it answers IMO:—

Invalid Link Removed

Death toll now in double figures :(
 
#22
If that train was parked on a siding on a grade, the switches should have been set to prevent it from rolling back out onto the mainline. Running into the switch would have probably resulted in a local de-rail with far less damage.

If that train was parked on a grade on the mainline, there should have been a temporary de-rail set on the tracks just downhill from it. Old technology, cheap and 100% effective.
If the de-rail had been properly set, the engine would have de-railed soon after it started rolling and before momentum was built up. Again, a PITA engine/car reset is much better than a freakin' catastrophe.

Common sense keeps Mr. Murphy at bay and people don't have to die.
 
#23
Deathblade Eric said:
I can't envisage any way of shifting that amount buy any other means short of a pipeline. Pipelines cost a heck of a lot to build & only go from A to B. Rail already exists, so technically costs nothing, and goes from A to Z via anywhere you want.
Click to expand...

They wouldn't go to the expense to build a pipeline if it was cheaper to transport fuel by rail in the first place.

Yes, rail exists, but it doesn't cost "nothing". There is the initial cost of the train, maintenance of the engines, cars, track, shop buildings, office buildings etc. The employees have to get paid...the list goes on and on. A pipeline may only go from A to B, but often, that's all that is required. Trains and/or tanker trucks can continue the transportation from the end of the pipeline.
 
#25
Unprofessional said:
If that train was parked on a siding on a grade, the switches should have been set to prevent it from rolling back out onto the mainline. Running into the switch would have probably resulted in a local de-rail with far less damage.

If that train was parked on a grade on the mainline, there should have been a temporary de-rail set on the tracks just downhill from it. Old technology, cheap and 100% effective.
If the de-rail had been properly set, the engine would have de-railed soon after it started rolling and before momentum was built up. Again, a PITA engine/car reset is much better than a freakin' catastrophe.

Common sense keeps Mr. Murphy at bay and people don't have to die.
Click to expand...

Yeah, but common sense costs money hence why companies such as MMA don't have any. When the locomotive caught fire and the firefighters were called, the operator was told to leave the scene before the firefighters had even arrived. The cab driver who picked him up said that flaming oil was gushing all over and that the guy told him that his boss had ordered him to leave anyway...

MMA also used Google-translate (or an equivalent) to release its press releases in French. Needless to say, they were gibberish. Such class when one of the machine under their care took dozens of lives and destroyed hundreds of others.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back