Posted on Mar 25, 2023
Safety device, human error derailed Anacortes train, federal officials say
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The short, seven-car BNSF Railway train was approaching a swinging bridge over the Swinomish Channel after leaving an oil refinery in Anacortes.
The bridge swings open to let boats through the Swinomish Channel, a shallow, 11-mile long arm of Puget Sound that connects Padilla Bay to Skagit Bay.
Devices called “derailers” (or just “derails”) sit on either side of the bridge, embedded in the railroad tracks, to force trains off the tracks when the bridge is open.
Thursday morning, the bridge was properly lined up for the train to cross it, but at least one derailer was still in operation.
The train’s wheels hit the steel-wedge device, and the two engine cars in front toppled to the right, plowing to a stop on their sides in the dirt next to an RV park and casino before reaching the bridge.
The bridge swings open to let boats through the Swinomish Channel, a shallow, 11-mile long arm of Puget Sound that connects Padilla Bay to Skagit Bay.
Devices called “derailers” (or just “derails”) sit on either side of the bridge, embedded in the railroad tracks, to force trains off the tracks when the bridge is open.
Thursday morning, the bridge was properly lined up for the train to cross it, but at least one derailer was still in operation.
The train’s wheels hit the steel-wedge device, and the two engine cars in front toppled to the right, plowing to a stop on their sides in the dirt next to an RV park and casino before reaching the bridge.
Safety device, human error derailed Anacortes train, federal officials say
Posted from kuow.org
Safety
Oil
Puget Sound
Native Americans
Posted >1 y ago
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We had derailers on all the tracks to our Engine House back in the 70’s. Never used them because they got to be a pain flipping them. Every once in the while they would make us use them. Safety was lax back then. Anyhow, when we did use them, everyone forgot to flip them putting locomotives on the ground. Got good at using wooden wedges to put them back on the track. Never seen a locomotive flip over when they hit one.
Safety is a priority there now. You put one on the ground now, you be in big trouble. Back then it was routine.
Safety is a priority there now. You put one on the ground now, you be in big trouble. Back then it was routine.
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