by rcbsd45
We were on duty at 1201AM, UP 9024-UP 9027, 20 cars and we
left Kearny at about 0225. We headed north through CP Croxton, whhere
the crew off the NS 211 called in the sparks to us, and even gave us
the car number(we are doing restricted speed at this point so its not
hard to do). We then contacted the dispatcher and North Bergen yard
who would inspect us at 69th street. A brief stop and then we started
pulling, and then stopped again where the brakes were then cut out on
the car. We all believed it to be stuck brakes or a faulty handbrake.
At about 0330, we were heading north. First stop was Nyack to
meet a southbound. we passed no one in Teaneck and were stopped when
the southbound ame by, so no one else had the opportunity to see or
report anything. We then depart, and head through Havestraw without
stopping, again with no train waiting for us. We get a clean report
over the Stoney Point detector(as well as Orangeburg, I might add)
However, prior to the Stoney point detector, we pass by through
Tompkins Cove, and someone spotted smoke and called the disptacher
who in turn called us as well as the roaming car inspector. We came
to a stop at MP 41 and awaited the car inspectors arrivasl and
assistance.
He soon shows up(we stopped at about 0450), and I drop my
conductor off to check one side while the car inspector checks the
other side of the train. Soon I am told to stop the train as we have
a truck derailed. the car in question was a standard five platform
spine that can hold either trailers or containers. Apparently, one
truck on the car was "off center" and had shifted backwards. the
result was the wheels had now grinded their way through the platform
above them which is where the trailer wheels would sit had a standard
TOFC been loaded. The grinding of the shifted wheels had gotten to
the point that the first sharp curve they came to, they could not
turn as intended and thus derailed, just above the detector. The pin
that holds the car above the truck had apparently been bad right from
the start.
In any case, we report the matter and are told to stand by. we
cut the crossing to the driveway at MP 41, and eventually the calvary
shows up. we rerail the car, the truck reshifts to its original
poisition(minus the pin) and the decision is made to move the car
within the train to Newburgh and set it out. we are approved for 20
MPH, so we do this, pull up and await southbound traffic.
We eventually set the car out, and headed north, leaving Newburgh
at about 0955, arriving at Kingston at 11:15 and we were recrewed and
we took a van to the hotel from there, making a 13 hour day. Suffice
to say we were VERY, VERY lucky. Not sure just how the truck became
off center, but I have my suspicions(as do the people who showed up
to provide assistance). The car was eventually moved to kingston yard
where it was sitting when I made my return trip. But there ya have
it. in a nutshell.... no one was hurt, no track damage(although the
first couple of southbounds were given EC-1's for a temprary slow
order in the area until the track could be formally inspected.), even
though the point of derailment was determined. Again as I say things
could have turned out much worse, and we were very lucky!
RCB
left Kearny at about 0225. We headed north through CP Croxton, whhere
the crew off the NS 211 called in the sparks to us, and even gave us
the car number(we are doing restricted speed at this point so its not
hard to do). We then contacted the dispatcher and North Bergen yard
who would inspect us at 69th street. A brief stop and then we started
pulling, and then stopped again where the brakes were then cut out on
the car. We all believed it to be stuck brakes or a faulty handbrake.
At about 0330, we were heading north. First stop was Nyack to
meet a southbound. we passed no one in Teaneck and were stopped when
the southbound ame by, so no one else had the opportunity to see or
report anything. We then depart, and head through Havestraw without
stopping, again with no train waiting for us. We get a clean report
over the Stoney Point detector(as well as Orangeburg, I might add)
However, prior to the Stoney point detector, we pass by through
Tompkins Cove, and someone spotted smoke and called the disptacher
who in turn called us as well as the roaming car inspector. We came
to a stop at MP 41 and awaited the car inspectors arrivasl and
assistance.
He soon shows up(we stopped at about 0450), and I drop my
conductor off to check one side while the car inspector checks the
other side of the train. Soon I am told to stop the train as we have
a truck derailed. the car in question was a standard five platform
spine that can hold either trailers or containers. Apparently, one
truck on the car was "off center" and had shifted backwards. the
result was the wheels had now grinded their way through the platform
above them which is where the trailer wheels would sit had a standard
TOFC been loaded. The grinding of the shifted wheels had gotten to
the point that the first sharp curve they came to, they could not
turn as intended and thus derailed, just above the detector. The pin
that holds the car above the truck had apparently been bad right from
the start.
In any case, we report the matter and are told to stand by. we
cut the crossing to the driveway at MP 41, and eventually the calvary
shows up. we rerail the car, the truck reshifts to its original
poisition(minus the pin) and the decision is made to move the car
within the train to Newburgh and set it out. we are approved for 20
MPH, so we do this, pull up and await southbound traffic.
We eventually set the car out, and headed north, leaving Newburgh
at about 0955, arriving at Kingston at 11:15 and we were recrewed and
we took a van to the hotel from there, making a 13 hour day. Suffice
to say we were VERY, VERY lucky. Not sure just how the truck became
off center, but I have my suspicions(as do the people who showed up
to provide assistance). The car was eventually moved to kingston yard
where it was sitting when I made my return trip. But there ya have
it. in a nutshell.... no one was hurt, no track damage(although the
first couple of southbounds were given EC-1's for a temprary slow
order in the area until the track could be formally inspected.), even
though the point of derailment was determined. Again as I say things
could have turned out much worse, and we were very lucky!
RCB
I know I'm getting old... My insurance company sent me only half a calendar this year!
