Re: (erielack) The "ah-ha!" moment

[Bill Sheppard <sheprail_@_aol.com>]

Paul & List,

"Exhibit A" refers to a car in the train consist that is particularly susceptible to

derailing due to the way it is loaded. In such cases, the lateral forces may exceed

the vertical forces on the lead truck, resulting in this car derailing. Fortunately,

the "Big Hook" was stationed at Croxton to deal with such events.

At other times, the inside rail on the curve rolled over on the New Loop. One such

instance was caused by a failure to release hand brakes back in the train consist.

When the road power started pulling the train around the New Loop, the strain

from the hand brakes became too much and the rail rolled over.

Bill Sheppard

- -----Original Message-----

From: Tupaczewski, Paul R (Paul) (Paul) <paul.tupaczewski_@_alcatel-lucent.com>

To: EL Mail List <erielack_@_lists.railfan.net>

Sent: Mon, Jul 18, 2011 3:55 pm

Subject: RE: (erielack) The "ah-ha!" moment

Bill Sheppard wrote:

> The "New Loop" at Croxton was built with a curvature of 16 degrees,
> 30 minutes, much sharper than minimum curvature standards for
> main line track. As a result, there were a number of times when this
> curve was "string-lined" by road trains entering and leaving the yard.
> Exhibit A is the TOFC shown going around the New Loop. Please note
> that this flat car has only one trailer on board with no
> tandems weighing on the lead truck.
I've been told by people who witnessed this track being used that the squealing

of flanges was downright deafening. Additionally, as you pointed out, this curve

was the site of many a derailment. (isn't it just genius to install such a tight

curve for primarily piggyback traffic with 89' flats? :)

Not sure what you mean by your "Exhibit A"? Are you implying that it was

purposely loaded with one trailer only? Or that the leading trailers fell off in

a derailment here?

	- Paul

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