It just seems to keep getting worse. Death toll now at 6, and the reporting is that there are still people unaccounted for.
Quite a sad incident. I am curious thought to see exactly what happened here. Could speed have played into this derailment?
My uninformed guess is trackwork. It was awfully hot and humid yesterday, and those CSX rails have a tendency to shift and bow in the heat. But I'm just guessing.
I've seen several follow up stories this morning. http://news.yahoo.com/amtrak-train-...-investigation-begins-073410531--finance.html
Latest posting on Fox News indicates the train was doing more than 100 mph as it entered the curve. Restrictions are 70 mph approaching and 50 mph in the curve. The locomotive black box and video have been sent to "Delaware" for analysis.
The press conference the NTSB just had indicates (preliminary) that the train was doing 106 just prior to the curve. The engineer apparently went ot emergency but was still going 102 when data stopped. And yes, the curve had a speed limit of 50. As for Delaware, that's Amtrak's facility for a preliminary read of the recorders before they get sent to DC.
I just heard that 106 on the top of hour radio news. What the heck was that engineer doing? I am wondering if he was fatigued and dozed off....
This question is for current or former train crew members Is possible for the train in question to accelerate for 0 to 106 mph in 11 minutes as reported by FOX? Gary
I like to bring my Garmin along to monitor my location on trips to New York. I can vouch that the train can get to 100 in under two minutes, but it seldom does. There are usually too many curves near the stations to go that fast. Tha Acela Express takes the curves pretty fast because it "leans into" curves, whatever that means. Since this was a new engine, I wonder why it doesn't have simular technology? Sent from my GT-N8013 using Tapatalk
As I recall. the "leaning in" is a use/modification of Talgo technology, where the truck connections to the cars includes a computer controlled system of hydraulics to induce the appropriate tilt.
This video - ironically of #601 - demonstrates that a Sprinter loco can accelerate 8 Amfleet cars up to 100 mph within about 2 minutes: [video=youtube;vJMhKgEnnNc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJMhKgEnnNc[/video]
The positive control system is fully funded, and is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year. Unfortunately, this particular section of track is still on the to do list. Sent from my GT-N8013 using Tapatalk
Wow I would have never thought about doing that. Thanks for the idea because I am definitely bringing mine the next time I ride the train.
If I understand it correctly PTC (Positive Train Control) does not control speed. If you pass a green signal all it knows is you had a green signal. If you had a yellow and ran it at 60 THEN PTC would apply the brakes.
My wife kind of said the same thing and then she said what could we do about it at the time anyway. Well then I started thinking and I don't remember seeing any of those emergincy pull ropes that were in all those old train movies.
