The Moral of the Story

Sonea Fifer

Sonea Fifer

Sonea Fifer

Soldato
Joined
13 Dec 2006
Posts
6,945
Location
On the forest moon Endor
Just had this emailed to me and thought you guys may appreciate it:

Good news: It was a normal day in Sharon Springs , KS, when a Union Pacific crew boarded a loaded coal train for the long trek to Salina .

The Bad news: Just a few miles into the trip a wheel bearing became overheated and melted, letting a metal support drop down and grind on the rail, creating white hot molten metal droppings spewing down to the rail.

The Good news: A very alert crew noticed smoke about halfway back in the train and immediately stopped the train in compliance with the rules.

The Bad news: The train stopped with the hot wheel over a wooden bridge with creosote ties and trusses.

The crew tried to explain to higher-ups but were instructed not to move the train. They were instructed “The Rules” prohibit moving the train when a part is defective!

image001.jpg


image002.jpg


image003.jpg


image004.jpg


The moral of the story - Don't let common sense get in the way of a good disaster!
 
I'm with the employer, had the driver been told to get back in and move the train and was then killed, it would have been a very different story.

Get out, stay out and call the fire brigade.
 
Cybermyk said:
I'm with the employer, had the driver been told to get back in and move the train and was then killed, it would have been a very different story.

Get out, stay out and call the fire brigade.
Click to expand...

This, its only a wooden bridge and train, they can be replaced and insurance would pay out.
 
Wish the smoke was blowing the other way so we could see the Train fall into the gully.
Good pics though so Cheers for sharing.
 
In imagination:
I would have put on my sunglasses, got in the train and gunned it. Once I was up to speed, I'd detach the cars from the back of the train and fly out of there. It would look awesome and immediately be made into a film.

Real life:
Get far enough back from train, watch fire. Employers love safety now, ignoring their orders would probably net you a P45. :D
 
Cybermyk said:
I'm with the employer, had the driver been told to get back in and move the train and was then killed, it would have been a very different story.

Get out, stay out and call the fire brigade.
Click to expand...

However I'm guessing the bridge wasn't particularly on fire at that point. That first image looks about half an hour after the calls.

It's akin to seeing a bit of coal falling out of an open fire/cigarette falling on a newspaper and starting a small fire in your house. i certainly wouldn't just leave the house to its fate, i'd get a saucepan/extinguisher and put it out in 10 seconds...
 
Amp34 said:
However I'm guessing the bridge wasn't particularly on fire at that point. That first image looks about half an hour after the calls.

It's akin to seeing a bit of coal falling out of an open fire/cigarette falling on a newspaper and starting a small fire in your house. i certainly wouldn't just leave the house to its fate, i'd get a saucepan/extinguisher and put it out in 10 seconds...
Click to expand...

We dont know how long the train was, some can be uber longer.
 
Yeah, but the bridge isn't. Could be but I can't see it taking that long to get across. :p

EDIT: From the look of it they had enough time to unhitch the forward carriages and engine and move them out of frame.
 
Amp34 said:
Yeah, but the bridge isn't. Could be but I can't see it taking that long to get across. :p

EDIT: From the look of it they had enough time to unhitch the forward carriages and engine and move them out of frame.
Click to expand...

I'm guessing that you're one of those "I'll just nip back in and get my iphone" when your house is on fire kind of guys :p
 
But it's unlikely to be a risk. If the story is straight the driver and people on the ground were fine with moving the train. The problem was the people not on the ground following procedure...

Anyway it's supposed to be a lighthearted thread so... :p
 
Cybermyk said:
I'm guessing that you're one of those "I'll just nip back in and get my iphone" when your house is on fire kind of guys :p
Click to expand...

No, I don't have an iPhone, but I guess you do...;)

I am however someone practical and know my limits, not too worried about getting my hands dirty and doing my own risk assessments. That unfortunately is pretty rare these days it seems...

If the house was on fire then I wouldn't go in, but if there was a burning newspaper in the middle of the room I would put it out before it set light to the entire house. ;)
 
Amp34 said:
No, I don't have an iPhone, but I guess you do...;)

I am however someone practical and know my limits, not too worried about getting my hands dirty and doing my own risk assessments. That unfortunately is pretty rare these days it seems...
Click to expand...

You'd be wrong, I have a three year old k750, it does the job.

I'm always getting my hands dirty and I've seen fire close up and have the scars to prove it. I've seen people lose fingers because thy decided it was OK to remove the chisel from the lathe and people lose their life because they thought they could handle a situation.

If the guy in charge says get out and stay out he isn't thinking about your ego as much as he is about your health.
 
Amp34 said:
No, I don't have an iPhone, but I guess you do...;)

I am however someone practical and know my limits, not too worried about getting my hands dirty and doing my own risk assessments. That unfortunately is pretty rare these days it seems...

If the house was on fire then I wouldn't go in, but if there was a burning newspaper in the middle of the room I would put it out before it set light to the entire house. ;)
Click to expand...

Story is probably a load of crap.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom