Rules Are Rules

[pdub]

The 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 (In defense of the crew, according to Sixgun Jr., the crew tried to 'splain to higher-ups but were instructed not to move the damn train!)







RULES ARE RULES!
Don't let common sense get in the way of a good disaster!

[BigBlockMopar]

Re: Rules Are Rules

Happened on the 18th of April 2002. :P

Yesterday I just saw a program on Discovery about a similar bridge burning down to the ground. Only this one was about a mile long I recall.
Local residents came upto the scene with lawnchairs and beverages to view the spectacle.

[studemax]

Re: Rules Are Rules

Yeah, I remember that.
Really put a kink in the cross-country train traffic while an all new concrete & steel bridge was built.

[Junk Whisperer]

Re: Rules Are Rules

You seldom see Roller Bearings going up in Flames like that,Friction Bearings,on the other Hand,failed a bit more often. One of the few places you'll see old Freight Cars with Friction Bearings is the Landlord's #1 Yard,LOTS of old Railroad stuff in there,just don't touch ;D! ~J/W.

[pdub]

Re: Rules Are Rules

I'm still stuck on the title of the email which I reconstructed here.....Rules Are Rules. That might be worth another thread. Boy, rules really piss me off when they defy logic in a special case.

[tiresmoke!]

Re: Rules Are Rules

That one could qualify as a RETRO "Friday Excuse to Go Home and Drink".