BNSF Railway Train Derailment and Subsequent Train Collision

To read the full report follow the link below:
www.ntsb.gov/investigations/p...
Casselton, North Dakota
December 30, 2013
DCA14MR004
The video comes from the forward-facing on-board image recorders from the two trains involved in the accident. Video from the Grain Train lead locomotive 6990 was downloaded from the undamaged GE Lococam on-board image recorder. Parametric data from the Grain Train lead locomotive 6990 was downloaded from the undamaged event recorder. Video from the Crude Oil Train lead locomotive 4934 was obtained from data transmitted wirelessly when the emergency brakes were applied, and parametric data was downloaded from the trailing distributed power unit locomotive 6684.
The video begins at 14:08:37 Central Standard Time (CST) with the view from the front of the Grain Train as it travels westbound on main track 1. The text “Grain Train #6990” and the speed of the train are displayed at the bottom center of the screen. The westbound direction of travel is briefly indicated by a text annotation. The train passes a track switch and a vehicle belonging to a signal maintainer at 14:09:06; the vehicle is labeled by a text annotation for about 10 seconds as the train approaches the vehicle. The front end of the crude oil train begins to be visible on the adjacent track to the left at about 14:09:41, and it is labeled with a text annotation. The derailment of the Grain Train occurs at 14:09:57, after which time a digital counter is shown on the right in the image, indicating the time in seconds since the derailment. A text annotation indicates that the emergency brakes on the Grain Train were applied at 14:10:13, uncommanded by the train crew. At 14:10:33, the lead locomotive of the Crude Oil Train passes the lead locomotive of the Grain Train.
At 14:11:02, the video switches to the view from the front of the Crude Oil Train as it travels eastbound on main track 2. The text “Crude Oil Train #4934” and the speed of the train are displayed at the bottom center of the screen. The eastbound direction of travel is briefly indicated by a text annotation. A text annotation indicates an engineer-induced emergency brake application on the Crude Oil Train occurred at 14:11:03. A
text annotation also points out the 45th car in the Grain Train, which is fouling main track 2. The Crude Oil Train strikes the 45th car in the Grain Train at 14:11:12, leading to derailment of the Crude Oil Train, which departs main track 2 to the right and apparently comes to rest once impacting the built-up ballast supporting a parallel set of railroad tracks.
The video includes an audio overlay of radio traffic broadcast over radio channel 70, with communications from the Grain Train, the Crude Oil Train, the dispatcher and the signal maintainer passed by the Grain Train at 14:09:06. The audio begins with a call from the signal maintainer to the crew of the Grain Train at 14:10:31, and ends at 14:11:59 after the crew of the Crude Oil Train have reported the derailment and subsequent fire to the dispatcher.

[@oberzen208]

That is super impressive that the train stayed upright after the collision.

[@johnalexander7490]

I was thinking that very thing!

[@x9466x]

@@johnalexander7490 I'm guessing the tension from the trailers keeps it upright

[@frankym274]

I Think BNSF 6990 Grain Hopper Train Emergency Break Meet BNSF 4934 And 5958 Destroyed Crash

[@bobjohnson1587]

The lead locomotive stayed upright. A locomotive is NOT a train! It's a 'locomotive'! The 'train' was "everywhere".

[@thomasmleahy6218]

It most certainly did not, the oil train went all over the place, and the derailed train had 1 laying on it's side. The derailed train waited waaaaay too long to announce he was in emergency. About 50-55 seconds. That would have maybe given the other train time to slow, maybe almost stop before the collision, maybe not. There was also a fire that erupted from the tank cars that ruptured. Doesn't sound very upright to me

[@aleklacinaal]

The crew is alive and well, I started working out of Dilworth one year after this happened and I assure you they made it out alive

[@onlycountrymouse]

That is a miracle. They must have really hoofed it out of there!

[@Lessinath]

People don't realize how fast they can run until they're running to save their ass.

[@wmg33]

BNSF1996 Well thank GOD for that !

[@francobobfred]

Lessinath and people don't realize how fast a train is moving until it tries to stop

[@JohnDoe-vp4yr]

BNSF1996 l ,,,,,oaaokqwowowllklkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkknopophjhjuuuuuu678905413

[@Lost-In-Blank]

The grain train derailed because an axle on one of its cars broke due to a manufacturing defect. There was an internal void in the axel created when it was cast 3 years earlier. More on this on pages 5 & 6 of the final report.

[@trueword247]

damn. thanks for sharing that insight. crazy to think how in a sense, this crash began three years earlier.

[@JustinCrediblename]

Forged metal. sigh. I hate that stuff.

[@j.p.1214]

@@JustinCrediblename forged is different than cast. forged is much stronger.

[@JustinCrediblename]

@@j.p.1214 woops. haha. I meant cast. To think that a guy with 5000 lbs of stainless steel in the garage would mess that one up. sigh

[@BuddyRHS1965]

Wow awesome knowledge thank you. I am QA in the airlines and this is exactly what we do.

[@mihai08]

Corn grains + crude oil fire = popcorn

[@alexruddies1718]

@ShadowPBPBC Now all I can think of is two trains running full force into each other, to supply our fuel demands...

[@notyouraverageyoutuber3172]

Lol

[@rcnelson]

And now a video to watch while eating the popcorn.

[@supercoolguynoob9477]

@@F59PHI SHUT THE F__ K Up

[@kenhurley4441]

So,,,,, Orville was "flying" with "popcorn"?

[@ChernobylPizza]

911 what is your emergency? WE ARE EVERYWHERE!

[@TheBigMclargehuge]

Is that a threat?

[@ChernobylPizza]

It's a quote from the video

[@pkranz937]

ChernobylPizza They were talking to the train dispatcher, not 911

[@totheden]

they 911 emergency called the RTC

[@cameronwade4873]

Jason Koontz being a conductor how often do you see rail crews standin around or just sitting in truck texting as you cruise by? i film trains an see it 10 out 10 times

[@nathanbrown3497]

Oh come on. That oil train had more than enough room to swerve! If you ask me I think he was just looking for that insurance money

[@rye_too_quick]

This is a very underappreciated joke good sir

[@RABI6474]

Nathan Brown 8

[@davep6977]

may be he didn't think it was a joke, he might be dumb enough to think trains can actually swerve

[@sharonrivers1347]

Trains cant swerve.they travel on rails.when are people gonna eved learn

[@davidcastro3881]

sharon rivers nah it's just a joke

[@d4rk0v3]

This is exactly why I don't pull up right next to the crossing gates of a railroad. If it derails and the cars swing out you're dead.

[@cdodge2996]

Food for thought... You don't even need a full on derailment, very large chunks of steel (brake system and suspension) can fly off too.

[@d4rk0v3]

@@cdodge2996 Even more reason to stop back away from the gate.

[@michaelmccarthy4615]

I pull up close to the gates and shut the engine off. Then I can hear and feel the ground shake as the train roars by! I'm also confident that a derailment exactly where I am is very unlikely. I guess I'm not as paranoid as many.

[@michaelmccarthy4615]

@@Barsabus no you don't...you wouldn't be writing this now if you did that.

[@screamingslave99]

@@michaelmccarthy4615 crossings and switches are the most likely places for derailments. food for thought.

[@NicCageForPresident2024]

I was a Quality Inspector for a company where we remanufactured train wheels and axles as well as did brand new mounts with new bearings. Just the weight of the axles and wheels alone is absolutely insane.

[@pendejoculo2581]

How much is "insane" ?

[@bakedstreetyt]

@@pendejoculo2581 let me google that for you : What is the weight of a train axle? Standard wheel assemblies made of steel and ductile alloy can weigh between 235 to 480 pounds. The lighter-weight assemblies have an average load capacity of 10,000 pounds, while the heavier assemblies have an average capacity of 40,000 pounds.

[@pendejoculo2581]

@@bakedstreetyt Thank you. Then can you find for me the conversion to Kg ?...

[@jaysonlima7196]

They are heavy enough that where I'm from scrap wheels are actually in fairly high demand as mooring anchors

[@ThereAreTwoGenders]

@@pendejoculo2581 just ask your mom, she weighs the same

[@tysonp5866]

Now where's the giant hand that grabs it and puts it back on the track

[@howardshubs7157]

I think Monty Python had it.

[@MrAudienceMember2662015]

Gomez Addams never puts the train back on the track. He gets a new one.

[@twistedaxles9126]

Sorry, the man that does that retired from the railway about 5 years ago

[@nvwms2353]

😂

[@curvedbridge]

[@TheRealBoroNut]

Did anyone else notice he didn't signal before pulling off to the side of the track?

[@aslanrrafshi8192]

Anthony Smith mm

[@MsFred58]

Not funny.

[@AyyyGabagool]

Lmfao

[@PlaneBoy2520]

Boro Nut he should’ve just swerved

[@bogdog999]

Yes, it was. Everyone is OK, so lighten up a bit.

[@woopimagpie]

Seeing out the front window of the locomotive and there being no rails was pretty wild. That's something you don't want to see, ever.

[@bricaaron3978]

At least there were no rails with ground underneath. Better than no rails and no ground!

[@willjdeanie]

Free range locomotive

[@Sj27m]

And he forgot to signal

[@garyallen4313]

Kind like a man standing over you naked when you wake up real freaking scary

[@Spurdospaerde692]

​@garyallen4313 Does this happen often to you?

[@beauhatman4395]

The most amazing thing about this video is that the signal maintainer is awake.....

[@gentoolive]

This guy railroads..

[@aaronmcalpine1606]

And the conductors.

[@oilersridersbluejays]

Kind of what I was thinking. I just assume they are continually napping.

[@hoonsenior6963]

Yeah…I know. He must have only gotten called out twice the night before and was probably feeling chipper with his three hours of uninterrupted sleep.

[@beauhatman4395]

@@hoonsenior6963 HAHA...nice try. If he'd have gotten called out the night before, as you imagine, he would be AT HOME SLEEPING! It's called "hours of service" rules. Signal maintainers are only permitted to work x amount of hours (and it ain't very many), by law. They then "clock off", go home, and get x amount of hours PAID REST before they're allowed to return to work.

[@TheSpiikki]

they should have pulled off that epic drift like the polar express once did

[@mashikawa1995]

your right

[@JS-nq5cy]

TheSpiikki this Diesel engine is way to heave to do dat

[@ralanham76]

No way jump off then get run over?

[@RosinGoblin]

TheSpiikki if only Tom Hanks was there

[@davids.816]

*Deja vu intensifies*

[@AviationNut]

He said "We're everywhere". I looked out my window here in Chicago and i don't see them, called my brother in LA and he doesn't see them either. I also called a friend in Germany and he also doesn't see them. WTF?.

[@shatara42]

Obviously you looked 3 years too late. They're gone by now.

[@yottaforce]

Nowhere in sight in Denmark either.

[@AviationNut]

Morten Kristiansen How dare they lie to us!!.

[@BigTex9752]

lol

[@njanmlrsq8939]

I thought I saw one of them in NJ the other day......nice comment...gave me a good laugh.

[@SapphireABCDEFG]

0:00 The start of the meyhem.... 1:26 The derailment of one of the grain cars. And the crude oil train is insight. 1:41 Emergency braking application, slowly bringing it to a stop. 1:59 "Signal Maintainer uhh, train going through Casselton." 2:04 "Got ya over." 2:06 "Is there anything going on with your train over there, I saw a bunch of stuff fly out the heater." 2:13 "Train in emergency, uhh 4934 watch yourself." 2:30 The grain car comes into view. 2:31 Emergency brake applied, doesn't bring it to a stop in time. 2:40 The crude oil train hits the Grain Train, BNSF 6990. 2:54 "WE ARE EVERYWHERE!...." "THERES A FIRE..." 3:00 "WE'RE A KEY TRAIN- GET OUT." 3:07 "HUGE EMERGENCY, WE ARE A KEY TRAIN, WE ARE ON FIRE." 3:12 "Which train is on fire there?" "The 6990?" 3:16 "4934, 4 9 3 4! WE ARE DERAILED, WE ARE ALL OVER WE GOTTA GO." 3:20 "Grab your portable-"

[@drewdoestrucks]

I’ve watched this at least 20 times since released. And every time KZbin recommends it again for some reason, I watch it again.

[@fattony123082]

I never realized that trains were equipped with McDonald's drive-through speakers???

[@25mfd]

Yeah...it's called a radio

[@chavatroni1217]

25mfd actually it's called a joke

[@25mfd]

oh is that what it was?

[@chavatroni1217]

25mfd I guess so, lol

[@JadenGGvam]

You dont know how Walkie Talkies work Walkie Talkies Senses all the sound around it

[@rayswann7618]

I was wondering why my cornflakes tasted oily

[@EmilyTienne]

Haha!

[@WillArtie]

HA!

[@J-1410]

wheat train iirc

[@bikesqump]

Youre oil is on my wheat! Youre wheat is in my oil! Mmmmmmm, oily wheat!

[@mobinsibichan4467]

Haha...LOL 😆😆😆 THAT SOUNDS GOOD

[@Cory_Springer]

I was living about 10mi from Casselton, ND when this occurred. I remember my windows rattling and stuff falling off of shelves when the oil tanks blew up.

[@donfout2830]

Wondered where that was, thanks. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5vOk6ukbM9paJo

[@WifeBTR123]

I would love to continue to watch 6990's front camera after 4934 derails.

[@JoshHubbert]

"we are everywhere" was a little more pg than I would have put it.

[@wolfgang548]

After the impact, the locomotives and cars were likely thrown all over. Some will go in one direction and some in another. I'm surprised the lead loco of the oil train that hit the flipped over car of the other stood upright after leaving the rails.

[@swashington942]

Josh H What?

[@Redlance71]

PG rated, not Rated R cussing

[@CincoCinci]

Oh wait yeah uhhhh were everywhere get out..? They were just in a train derailmebt

[@rotekkable]

@@wolfgang548 Mass x Velocity is a sob. I've seen cars just keep on keeping on even after the rail rolled trucks and wheels spinning tearing up everything.

[@marcelineingot9359]

That guy in the crude train held his composure much better than what I would have done!

[@boricuadude26]

Marceline Ingot I say the same thing. I would have curse more than Steve Harvey does in his show 😂

[@robertslugg8361]

He was calmer than Denzel in "Flight"

[@stegbolt]

In training we had to watch videos like this. We watched one in particular of a CSX head on collision. The conductor talked to dispatch after the impact so calm it was amazing. But the reason was he in shock.

[@eltonjohnsdildo1291]

“Der.....What train’s on fire again?”

[@ConnerJ2003]

You don't feel a thing when you hit something in a train

[@BamaChad-W4CHD]

Man, tears a scary situation. It's amazing that most people never experience a derailment in a life time. Glad everyone got out and it wasn't much worse.

[@luke1835]

Yeah man! More people should be in dangerous train accidents

[@turnerdeedo4633]

2:45 Grain train driver: "4934 Are you guys stopping?" Oil train driver: "Not in time!"

[@HobbyOrganist]

"Which train is on fire, 6990?" Doesn't matter, just have the firemen look for the plume of smoke and fire and you'll find the right train, can't miss it!

[@perrydiddle3698]

I dunno. When they moved President Bush’s casket to his final resting place, they used a specially painted locomotive with Air Force 1 colors. If it had happened to him, I would be looking for the engine while asking myself why the Air Force 1 is flying so low.😉. Ok. That was lame. I tried.

[@mattywho8485]

Well it does kinda matter ! The 6990 was full of grain the one that was on fire was full of oil !!!!!

[@jonny6702]

@@mattywho8485 Yup. Firefighters need to know what they are about to fight. What if it was a grain vs chemical scenario, if they don't come equipped for hazardous materials then it could kill them to fight it with the wrong thing, or cause a reaction if they fight it with the wrong fluid/solid.

[@afroslim4875]

As soon as 6990 experienced an undesired emergency application they should have announced it on the radio, knowing that they were on double track and meeting eastbound 4934. I understand that it can catch you off guard, but any emergency brake application while moving can mean that some part of your train has derailed and that was tangent rail, they had a clear view of 4934 coming, and likely was aware of the upcoming meet due to hearing them calling signals and track detectors etc. I didn't hear an acknowledgement and warning of being in emergency until the signal maintainer asked them if they had problems and at that point they were nearly stopped; 4934 would have had more time to react if they had known sooner that 6990 was in emergency, not guaranteed that they would have been able to come to a safe complete stop or that they would have considered that 6990 was derailed and fouling their track, but they would have had more info and time to use judgement.

[@Newa113]

Wow, you are obviously a foamer who has never worked the railroad before. 1. Trains go into emergency all the damn time and not just because of derailments. They could be an short air hose, ptc malfunction, TC malfunction, or some type of mechanical malfunction. 2. You don't feel derailments on the road engines. 3. When you are staring out at endless 0% grade snow fields for 10 hours and then suddenly your train goes into emergency out of nowhere the conductor and engineer are going to look at each other and go "Wtf?". You don't feel derailments unless your cab is on its side. Get your shitty railfan knowledge of "This is what shoulda been done" crap out of here. Playing with model trains and train games on your computer doesn't qualify as railroad experience. Get a job as a conductor/engineer and you'll see how much of your bull crap pans out.

[@TidesGate]

@@Newa113 Almost every point you just argued he said nothing about. He is simply stating that the grain train should've announced to the passing train that they were in emergency and to watch out. Clearly that would've helped the situation. The oil train could've slowed down and prepared for something bad. What's wrong with that? How does that make someone a foamer lol. Railroad guys are so salty all the time. I imagine that's because you have no social life anymore because of the lifestyle and it makes you depressed and cranky.

[@jimbosc]

@@TidesGate did you read what he wrote? They did not know the track was blocked on the Eastbound side so why radio a warning you don't know about. Are you assuming clairvoyance?

[@TidesGate]

@@jimbosc You're right, they didn't know what happened which is exactly why they should've warned the passing train something could've been wrong. In fact, they tried to warn but was on the wrong channel. Both trains were on different channels so the oil train didn't hear the grain trains warning.

[@mtsmith89]

When I worked on the RR I remember the rule to announce emergency in the GCOR (I think in multiple mains only) so I agree that should have been announced.

[@Syclone0044]

That grain car laying on its side is perhaps the most brutal direct freight train collision I’ve ever witnessed, even the infamous “signal passed at danger” head on collision ATSF video was a glancing blow between 2 locos, this was a DIRECT smash

[@bille5960]

“We’re everywhere!” “I’m looking at fighter jets over I-95! How the hell did they get through?”

[@tskteamfn]

Cool reference to MW2

[@thenewpatticakes4214]

*sirens in the background*

[@christianmotley262]

Hehehe!

[@joey_556]

You beat me to that

[@Luna_LU6546]

RAMIREZ.... GET THAT BTR

[@ramairgto72]

Had this happen to me.... in HO scale.

[@jordandurham8951]

ramairgto72 same here but OO

[@mattlf9120]

ramairgto72 still would be quite an unmanageable mess. I would have just left it.

[@F-Man]

ramairgto72 Happened to me...in Train Simulator. ;)

[@Michael-eg3rs]

good ho derailments are hard to make. sadly you dont make em they make em

[@25mfd]

I hope you had can insurance.

[@SteveSmith-ho8cy]

NTSB report says derailment caused by broken axle. Trains initially were on on different radio channels, was cause of delayed communications says NTSB report. (trains often are on different radio channels when traversing or going from one dispatchers controlled division to another dispatcher controlled area).

[@abynx533]

Nope. Everyone is on channel 1

[@googoo-gjoob]

@@abynx533 , second crew went to disp channel & toned him.

[@burtonlee22]

Trains that can’t talk to each other due to using different radio channels seems really stupid

[@googoo-gjoob]

@@burtonlee22 , to whom are you replying?

[@mirkwoodforest6572]

Must have the conductors portable on 1 when calling RTC.

[@cdp200442]

Been on that main many times in my career ..those guys were my coworkers. Glad they were ok.

[@taylordavis2325]

Is it just me, or did the oil train not slow down? The MPH didn't seem to go down

[@bobjohnson1587]

@@taylordavis2325 He slowed down - once he went into the field! lol

[@bobpaulino4714]

A friend was the conductor on Conrail #6192 (C40-8) pulling an eastbound manifest near Erie Pa. early morning of May 8, 1995. An approaching mixed freight had been told via radio by a previous passing train that they thought they had at least one car on the ground. They stopped and the conductor only partially walked the train- he walked 50 some cars. Car on the ground was 70 something (It was 02:30) Conductor reboarded and they continued westward. The derailed car hit a grade crossing and went sideways just as Jim and the Eastbound #6192 met it. He dove and slid across the cab floor behind the engineer and trainee. When he came to he was on the gangway just to the rear of the cab on the engineers side. Hell of a mess. He was lucky to have survived. Don't know how to link pics.

[@staringinward]

weird to see this, I'm from Erie!!!

[@MScotty90]

I googled it and found some pics, you weren't kidding about him being lucky. That cab is mangled.

[@HistoryForEveryoneProductions]

@@MScotty90link?

[@TheLennyLegoShow]

Sir Topham Hatt was cross.

[@drivingprune112]

"4934, you have caused confusion and delay!"

[@TheLennyLegoShow]

4934 "Yes sir, sorry sir".

[@lalivang2441]

Percy and henry came with the break down train

[@f4fwildcat29]

Oh my. I can hear his stern theme calling me from far back in my memory

[@SPNGLovato18]

The Lenny Leggo Show it wasn’t 4934 fault, it was 6990 who caused it.

[@chrisf7731]

I am supriced the train stayed on its wheels in the snow, I am impressed!

[@chrisf7731]

SBK Stóre lol

[@bill5754]

The word is .....................SURPRISED.....................NOT SURPRICED.

[@nb4022]

Low center of gravity

[@MrUranium238]

@@bill5754 I gather you like correcting people?

[@BillyBoze]

@@MrUranium238 Definitely something more useful then what you or I are doing right now.

[@johnsmart964]

Thank you for bringing us this very interesting and informative video presentation, we trust that the train crew were all safe and well.

[@xygomorphic44]

Wife: HI honey, how was your day at work? Engineer: I was everywhere Wife: huh? Engineer: I had to go

[@davidasleep]

absolutely fascinating/ gives one a look into the lesser known aspects/ the dangers of being an engineer/ certainly does nothing but increases my respect for the people that run these powerful machines/

[@johnrencheck2283]

Theres nothing more horrible than looking down from the beast and seeing the terror in someones face as they are about to be struck by said train how do u deal with that!

[@gentoolive]

As a MOW employee i can assure you trainmen are huge pussies.

[@strnglhld]

@@gentoolive gotta admit, I’m not gay but there’s some hot ones.

[@kenpack161]

@@gentoolive tf is MOW

[@canadianroot]

@@kenpack161 Move Outta The Way!

[@MrBigShot110]

This has to be the most literal video description on KZbin 😭

[@hazgebu]

The fire is missing in thr title

[@monaalfaro8907]

I’m an engineer going on 23 years at CSX 60 seconds was way too long to wait to tell that other train that they were in emergency.

[@begudmaximan953]

Correct, wakey wakey guys,

[@cdavid8139]

yep

[@Riverrockphotos]

So crazy to see a train going where he shouldn't be going.

[@simplywonderful449]

Yeah, and without a turn signal too! Kudos to the crews for keeping their heads in such a critical situation.

[@donfout2830]

@@simplywonderful449 Turn signals, not too much of a requirement for those on these vehicles, for sure! lol

[@jamesp13152]

I don't understand why trains don't come with steering wheels.

[@jamesp13152]

So they can swerve out of the way...

[@ariesmight4141]

James Purcell Did you ever see an Australian road train? The trailers alone can total at least 5.Now add length of the semi truck.And you can see why they dont steer around cars.But plow into them when the car drivers use their lanes to pass slower vehicels.Now imagin passing with over a mile long leangth of rail cars.That arc you would need would extend for a few miles.Look up Austrlian road trains on u tube.

[@bradley3030]

Trains are basically like longer semis. Semis have steering wheels and can swerve out of the way of danger. If this train had one this whole situation could of been avoided.

[@ariesmight4141]

Midnightcat As much as I was just going to make my reply about the flanges. You said the same thing as I was going to say.Actually it is the flanges that both keep the wheels on the track.And steer the weels aroung the corner's.I have read about newer technologies that improve the trains wheels ability to steer better.Said that The video also dubbles as an answer to Bred Metcalfs question.

[@bradley3030]

If steering wheels don't work then why do we put them in cars, planes, and boats? Doesn't take 15 years of being an engineer to figure that out.

[@jasoncrawford3589]

Wow! I mean all I can say is just wow! That must have been absolutely terrifying to roll up and slam that car at over 40 mph. And holding on for dear life as your slamming through the snow. Glad everyone was safe and definitely makes me appreciate the railway workers even more.

[@donavonlarney]

its hard to explain but i can assure you its very humbling to be "in" a fully loaded long train under a full application.... and the sound can be quite.. just sliding steel... and you can smell it... there is a smell that only skidding railway steel makes. . moving at just 10 mile per hour under these conditions is still extremely stressful... there is literally nothing more you can do.. will you hit? .. should you jump? what ever it does hit will be hit oh so very hard.. it is just so much inertia .. i know of a fully loaded coal truck/wagon being pushed straight into the ground.. disappeared.. the recovery crews had to keep looking for it as it was on the consist and unaccounted for..

[@MikeSmith-ch7jv]

@@donavonlarney I don't know squat about trains and the comunication between the engineer, and who ever they were talking to. but it seems to me that the engineer of the derailed train waited much too long before he declared an emergency. I feel for the oil train not knowing the full extent of the grain train's woes/ Or am I totally off, because the grain engineer didnt know there was a derailment, just a problem. Ideas?

[@donavonlarney]

@@MikeSmith-ch7jv train brake systems rely on the system being fully charged for the brakes to "release".. as the train moves this air pressure must be maintained or the brakes will apply automatically. there are "brake pipe" maintaining features that allow for some leakage.. long trains end up with air leaks as they age and there maintenance schedule.. there is also electronic braking "ECP" .. it works under the same principles as mechanical air brake.. anyway all the engineers/drivers can see as an indicator of trouble is a flow meter and brake pipe gauges that could indicate that something has happened in the consist before the automatic emergency application is applied.. if there is a break away as in this case it is not always evident what has taken place for the crew.. with ecp there is also crosstalk issues that can make emergency applications as well.. which is more often the case than a break away.. the complacency is already there with the break in of new tech.. there is even more but believe me when it dawns on the crews what's happening as they skid along.. when they return to work they have a new appreciation for the number one thing a train should be able to do and that is stop.

[@JMAC85]

@@MikeSmith-ch7jv Yea the conductor dropped the ball on that one…. We watched this in training on what not to do.

[@MikeSmith-ch7jv]

@@JMAC85 Howdy! Just curious about your future job. Is the money earned to training cost ratio any good?

[@truckerman8301]

All kidding aside from the posted comments, we thank our railroad men and women for getting the products we need to market. Sure glad no one was seriously injured in this mishap!

[@TheBigMclargehuge]

Yes yes thanks for the virtue signaling, got you 50 likes

[@deaf2819]

@@TheBigMclargehuge shhh

[@TheRoadhammer379]

Truckerman??? You're supposed to be a trucker but you're thanking the rail industry? 😂, any truck driver knows that trains don't take ANYTHING to market, semi trucks move everything to the end point of sale. Nice try troglodyte re-tard

[@koustubh]

@@TheRoadhammer379 why so much hate man.. start living a little

[@wagner_108]

Women? For maybe supporting the men as wives? Well they don't even do that nowadays

[@Jake266]

Amazing. 4934 striking a 200,000+ lb loaded freight car at 42 mph and remaining in tact enough for the crew to escape. Amazing engineering

[@johnclair8546]

I thought that, too. Amazing.

[@honban]

yet another incident demonstrating why we need more speed bumps on railroad tracks to keep our fathers and brothers SAFE!

[@WiseProtector72]

honban Ummm....if we watched the same video, speed was not the culprit in this situation.

[@goodpeopleoftheworldunite]

@@WiseProtector72 Has the penny dropped yet?lol

[@boog567]

Rock Island had tons of em in the 70's

[@culcune]

They shouldn't have large capacity trains...they should limit them to 10 cars.

[@scottmiller4348]

The Rock Island RR tried that and look what happened to it !

[@alitlweird]

I love that, "which train is on fire?" "Um...that will be the one burning...you'll know it when you SEE IT!! just send help to this location!!

[@Lvfd416]

alitlweird I'm guessing they want to know so they can relay to emergency services whether or not they have a hazmat situation, plus the nature of the burning cargo determines the type of fire response needed. In this case, class B foam vs water.

[@SuperBuildsInMC]

Not the mention the person asking which train is on fire is NOT ANYWHERE NEAR THEM! THEY ARE A DISPATCHER!

[@paulgann7935]

I'm afraid that would be my smartasse reply too. "Which train is burning?" "Uh, the one with flames. Everywhere."

[@jbutzy1]

But what location. Could be 20 trains on tracks somewhere in that dispatchers area. Nice too know whats going to go bang as well.

[@sandasturner9529]

@@Lvfd416 someone with level head on their shoulders here 👍

[@bigbadwolfe7849]

I remember when this happened. All the oil caught on fire and cooked the grain and made a giant loaf of bread.

[@thebluewhale8891]

was it good?

[@rcnelson]

Sorry, that only happened at Leavenworth.

[@1oldskoolluvr]

@@rcnelson 😂👍🏻👍🏻

[@Richard-wk9le]

Corn bread?..............

[@stonemason848]

grainoila?

[@kellyleathers8806]

As a passenger train operator I have nothing but respect for these guys that operate these heavy machines…..

[@Rycam113]

lucky that lead unit stayed upright during all of that, and a side note the one on the radio held his composure very well all things considered.

[@michaelsanchez2417]

yes on both accounts! sounded like he was ok

[@DaveGIS123]

Yes, it's good nobody was killed. The engineer's radio communication was bad, though. What was the poor dispatcher to think the engineer meant when he said "we are everywhere?" We KZbin viewers know he meant "we've derailed" but there's nothing in the radio call that would tell the dispatcher that. No wonder the dispatcher was confused. I'm sure the engineer was in shock. He was lucky to get away with his life. But when he derailed, he should have said "we've derailed" and when he saw a fire had broken out he should have said "we're on fire". That way, the dispatcher could have called for help instead of asking for clarification.

[@LifesLaboratory]

@@DaveGIS123If "we KZbinrs" were able to understand it, I'm quite sure the dispatcher understood it. From the recording, it seems quite obvious he understood what was going on.

[@DaveGIS123]

@@LifesLaboratory I disagree. "We KZbinrs" understand what happened because we have the visuals. The dispatcher only had what the engineer said, and the engineer didn't say he'd derailed.

[@LifesLaboratory]

@@DaveGIS123 Perhaps. Personally though, I think a frantic call of "we're all over the place" in reference to a device that literally runs on rails has a pretty clear meaning. Especially after just receiving a call describing the imminent danger. Cheers.

[@skyebryant6679]

my father is a railroader, and it gives me much greater appreciation of the dangers and work involved. love you daddy.

[@sludge4125]

Yeah, because everyone walked away unhurt.

[@lupin9038]

I remember this happening, they closed down that road for like a month because of all the spilled crude

[@Josh.015]

I have never seen a train perform such a smooth turn with the wheels derailed onto the land

[@B-and-O-Operator-Fairmont]

There used to be a joke in West Virginia in the 1960s and early 1970s when the tracks were in terrible condition that "you could tell when you were off the track - the ride was so much smoother".

[@thatoneguy611]

@@B-and-O-Operator-Fairmont legendary

[@rogercox369]

Serious brown trouser moment... YIKES! Glad to hear the crew was unhurt.

[@prephasfallen5168]

Thats what he meant when he said ''WE ARE EVERYWHERE!"

[@armuk]

where in the video is that said? didnt hear it

[@RubberChicken10000]

2:52 and 3:06

[@JanoyCresva]

Both died in a car accident 6 months later. Life is strange.

[@stevemccroskey1211]

That's "Code Brown" on the radio. There's also a "Code Yellow."

[@richardskopyk3211]

Glad to hear you all made it out ok ! I understand what happened I have worked in the rail industry for over 30 yrs I heard all of your transmissions Excellent radio/ train / looking out for our fellow brother All the best to you

[@SteichenFamily]

Is "we are everywhere" a way of saying that the train has derailed?

[@viewdrop349]

They didnt broadcast rule 125 emergencey untill it was too late. Absolute terrible radio transmissions...

[@mikeryan6277]

@@viewdrop349 agreed

[@Movie-tf4yd]

@@viewdrop349 and so nonchalantly. I was in this situation, but the oncoming was only at about 10, we didn't lay over, just had a hose on a shitty IMS car split, and I started screaming at the train coming up. They stopped before our H/E. You have no idea what's going on back there, and the first thing is protect your crew(s). I got poked at a bit afterwards , but we all went home alive and no damage done.

[@bestieswithtesties]

They died

[@seymoorepoone9512]

That is the most meticulous, well-worded description I’ve read for years.

[@TalkingHands308]

Wow, the conductor of 4934 stayed to continue relaying information longer than I would have. Kudos for being able to keep relatively calm in an emergency.

[@jsccs1]

I believe that was the engineer, he said grab your portable to someone. CO has a portable. EN does not.

[@Movie-tf4yd]

If I ever said to my Hogger, " grab your portable!!!" even in this situation they'd stop long enough to laugh, call me walking luggage, take off their slippers, and throw them at me.

[@jsccs1]

@@Movie-tf4yd "Go ahead and come back."

[@Movie-tf4yd]

@Jan Stander lol! I had a trainee, close to that, " Go ahead, back up."

[@TalkingHands308]

@@jsccs1 Ah, I don't know much about the different positions of a typical crew that operated trains, sorry.

[@EntertainmentWorldz]

nice video

[@aviationgeek604]

Entertainment Worldz this is the second comment I’ve seen from you that says the exact same thing lol

[@johnnyrocket6588]

@@aviationgeek604 exactly

[@Liger._King]

You’re a bot, aren’t you?

[@ejdsndnj]

@@Liger._King no stupid, why would a *RAILFANNER* be a bot?

[@shashank8156]

I have seen ur comment on faisal khan's video

[@notgayifitsdavidduchovnay256]

Oh that's not so bad HOLY SHIT

[@seanwatts8342]

It's bad when the derailed train on fire is carrying Bakken crude oil.

[@chriseveritt8090]

Sean Watts your a moron that can't read....

[@davidurban6813]

no need for name calling people.

[@BrettonFerguson]

I think he was trying to say at first it didn't look bad, then HOLY SHIT yeah it was bad.

[@notgayifitsdavidduchovnay256]

I see. I accept you apology.

[@game1boy1007]

Finaly a youtube channel that takes videodescriptions seriously.

[@Gamerafighter76]

It was crazy seeing this play out on a TV show I was watching last year.

[@mitch9521]

That must have been one hell of a thud when they hit the grain car

[@michaelhaynes47]

Mr Anderson and a hell of a turd in the crews pants

[@perrydiddle3698]

The cars were loaded with grain. When the NTSB arrived, the car was packed with pound cake.

[@awildjared1396]

there's a youtuber called "The Four Foot", he's a locomotive engineer, and in a Q&A he got asked what the largest animal he ever hit was, and he mentioned just after his answer to the question that his brother hit a miniature horse once and that made a hell of a bang aparently... now loaded grain cars would probably smash the entire lower front end of any locomotive

[@Syclone0044]

I know right?! That grain car laying on its side is perhaps the most brutal direct freight train collision I’ve ever witnessed, even the infamous “signal passed at danger” head on collision ATSF video was a glancing blow between 2 locos, this was a DIRECT smash

[@viceadmiralprestoncole126]

I guess you could say this video was _off the rails_.

[@AtlasReburdened]

Nah, fuck that dude. Turn down for what?

[@wolfgang548]

Ozzy Osbourne did a song called Crazy Train. I'm going off the rails on a crazy train.

[@martinezkim]

Too soon man, too soon

[@tactical_sandwich_]

m artinez it's been a year...

[@woohunter1]

Can we........stay on track?

[@douggale5962]

Just imagine the force needed to deflect a locomotive like a bank shot. Wow.

[@RRVideosAndSound]

On alot of power out in the west, every light on the locomotives starts flashing synchronously when the air is dumped.

[@coloradostrong]

"Alot" is a town in India. "Allot" is to apportion something, generally money. "A lot" is more than one of something, multiples of.

[@psychosneighbor1509]

"Which train is on fire?" At that point, does it matter?

[@rvnmedic1968]

That kind of crude oil contains a good percentage of butane and propane. I'm sure you've seen the news clips or vids of the Canadian disaster that leveled a town and other ones as well. I don't think Hazmat or EPA would be called in for a grain spill...

[@masterferguson8703]

Kinda matters..

[@realrambo1]

yes if you want to make shmore you might want to use grain it has a nice smoke . Glad they all made it ok , that is the most important.

[@psychosneighbor1509]

I guess my point(rhetorical question) was: If you have a two-train collision involving a tanker train, and there is a fire, do you wait for the tanker train to explode before calling in hazmat and every firefighting asset available? I'm really not trying to argue or be a smartass. On a side: I will say that I was pretty amazed at how calm everyone sounded throughout the ordeal lol. Scary stuff.

[@EnglishLaw]

Hmmm, well men generally are calm because they use logic and reason. There is a new breed of man called a pathetic wuss that is taking over, so maybe you are used to betas and manginas in your area. In Engand, we call these new feminine men puffs.

[@DarkpawTheWolf]

"We are everywhere, we're on fire." Lake Megantic, Quebec: "Hold my beer."

[@t.h.8475]

I lived next to a double track. By next to I mean I could see the engineer from my bathroom and bedroom windows. Once in the middle of the night I was awoken to the sound of a train engine just sitting outside my bedroom window. I looked out and the what looked like the whole police dept was in my yard with flashlights and there was a pickup truck sitting in the middle of one of the tracks. That night could have easily ended very badly.

[@alialioxynfree3905]

Move out of there. Omgg. How do you sleep

[@leloodallasmultipass]

Many years ago I was on a train that derailed due to a landslide. Thankfully, we were going super slowly and everyone made it out ok. No collision or anything. Forgot about that.

[@vashonfilmfestival1302]

How do you forget about such a thing

[@vanstry]

And this is why we build pipelines for oil, instead of sending it by train.

[@BoogyWoogyCreep]

Yep, so they can leak and explode too. It is safer to ship via rail than by pipeline.

[@vanstry]

Wow, you are pretty ignorant, aren't you? There are thousands of pipelines in this country and accidents with them are rare. But trains? Trains leak, spill, and derail all the time. Pipelines have the best safety record of all means of transportation. Don't be stuck on stupid.

[@BoogyWoogyCreep]

I had a nice written out response to your name calling drivel citing sources and facts to support my statements however I found it to be a waste of time since I am sure you would just reply with more stupidity. Enjoy.

[@brennanwellman3264]

BoogyWoogyCreep, I'm sure the people of Lac-Mégantic would disagree with you there.

[@BoogyWoogyCreep]

Maybe they would. In my job however, we work to ascertain facts in the investigation and not emotions. Lac-Megantic was a tragedy cause by 100% human error. A preventable disaster.

[@spookypen]

I always think about all the anhydrous ammonia that goes over these tracks and through Fargo when looking at these accidents. It's scary how fast things can go south and with devastating consequences. :(

[@c-j..]

I was offered a Conductor Job at CSX when I was 19 years old by a family friend. I learned I had to go to Atlanta for 6 weeks at that time I believe it was so I turned it down. I just had a new born and didn't want to be away. I sometimes wish I would have gave it a chance.

[@mdutchy2582]

I wonder if they have to fight the urge to jump. Your instincts are probably screaming get off this mother.....but with all that stuff coming behind you, not wise.

[@Jerram89]

M Dutchy As a train driver id stay onboard in that situation. Others I'd definitely consider "getting out"

[@ldtexas1648]

This one no. For a head on yes.

[@stegbolt]

We watched a video of a BNSF head on collision in our training. Moments before impact you could see the crew jump from the train that was sitting still. They both were killed. The crew on the train that hit them stayed aboard and survived just fine.

[@digimaks]

The locomotive cabin and front is armored. You have greater chances surviving crash inside it, instead of jumping out and trying to run in thick snow.

[@TheNavyShark]

It's a hard decision to ride it out or bail out. The only person that survived the collision in the Texas Panhandle was one of the engineers that jumped. The conductor and the other crew rode it out and were killed.

[@trip66]

I'm surprised no railroads buy the ol' SP light package on their locomotives anymore. The red light on the front of the locomotive would automatically light up in the event of an emergency application to warn oncoming trains that there might be a problem like a fouled track. When the SP was taken over by UP, they took all the red lights off of the locomotives. Why they just wouldn't leave them is beyond me. I guess they figured with CTC they were unneeded, but in this case the oncoming train would have known right away the grain train went into emergency.

[@keithode1737]

The "War of the Worlds" UDE light would have made no difference here.

[@Mark-jl6tl]

In defense of the UP, the Gyralights went away long before UP ever bit off more than they could chew. Gyralights are mechanical devices that require maintenance, thus increasing operating costs. Bean counters don't like increased operating costs because that reduces their bonuses. It's the bean counters that killed the Gyralights. Bean counters equate that it's cheaper to pay out a few million whenever someone sues them for wrongful death rather than spend a little bit to maintain some added safety devices.

[@newwomyn]

That is the (BNSF KO Subdivision) coming out of Moorhead Minnesota to the east of there as it comes off the (BNSF Staples Subdivision) to Minot North Dakota where it merges with the (Canadian Pacific Portal Subdivision) from Harvey North Dakota to northwest of North Portal Saskatchewan, and the (Glasgow Subdivision) from Minot North Dakota to Glasgow Montana. (subdivisions and rail companies in parenthesis)

[@hunterhamblin6158]

That radio conversation Is just chilling

[@TheWritingSource]

"We are everywhere. We are on fire." Sounds like a dope jam.

[@stevenjones618]

Its ricky Bobbie lol

[@stevenjones618]

We on fire were all over.. hmmm he must be watching talladega nights... I'm on fire I'm on fire everywhere....

[@DJDTM]

Glad everyone was ok!

[@brianlanders5306]

This is a good example why a pipeline is so much better, and safer

[@indridcold8433]

It is never a good thing when you look out the locomotive front windscreen and there is no track there.

[@oilersridersbluejays]

It’s called a windshield.

[@indridcold8433]

@@oilersridersbluejays That is what it is called only in Americanised English. In English, it is, "windscreen." You just gave your location away.

[@oilersridersbluejays]

Where do you think I am from?

[@indridcold8433]

@@oilersridersbluejays Ending your sentence in a preposition, erroneous correcting of British English, it is rather obvious where you are.

[@danielschultz11]

I guess this means the price of cereal just went up.

[@cobaltclass.]

It just means we'll be seeing more toasted cereals.

[@wolfgang548]

And oil prices as well.

[@wolfgang548]

Cobaltclass, Oily Flakes. They'reeee Great.

[@dadscavaliers642]

Gas just went up .10 on the gal to pay for it.

[@jonnie2bad]

would be scary seeing it coming and knowing there is nothing you can do but just wait for it.

[@perrydiddle3698]

@carrol meeks Aahhhhh! Especially when both of his hands are on your shoulders keeping you still.

[@perrydiddle3698]

Or is that just my doctor? Well, he said he was a doctor. He plays one on tv. 🙄🤦‍♂️😂

[@protohass]

@@perrydiddle3698 or two legs on your shoulders too

[@cupcakeevolution2209]

Glad everyone was okay!

[@Lost-In-Blank]

From the NTSB Final Report: *_Exclusions:_* _The track structure, the signal system, and train crewmembers’ compliance with operations rules and procedures did not contribute to the cause of the accident. Investigators conducted mechanical inspections of the equipment that did not derail and found no evidence of other causes that contributed to the derailment of either train. The pretrip mechanical inspections of both trains identified no defects._

[@johnclair8546]

If it wasn't equipment or human error, what else? Snow accumulation? Just wondering.

[@gpcaraudio]

glad to hear the crew survived

[@Mariarosario-qf4gg]

2:38 whatch as a train transforms into a snowmobile

[@alien200049655]

I'm just glad that both train crews are okay.

[@Duh6666666]

Was in a train that hit a few wagons, the shock was incredible and we saw the 2 cars get flung to the sides, the locomotive had mostly paint damage and a few nicks, and after an hour or so, we were off again.

[@arbjful]

The locomotive went loco I guess….🤣🤣😜

[@krcm1981]

Now that was a train taking a dirt road home!

[@Nash1a]

A short cut?

[@billsheppard9368]

It musta seen Rosie O'Donnegal.

[@chipmewes5256]

That is the best comment I've even seen on youtube...

[@ldtexas1648]

+bill sheppard LMFAO!

[@ldtexas1648]

+D Joe I was out there for 38. Know what you mean!

[@frankkaffy9019]

The oil train engine went far right after derailment, that was insane

[@normie2716]

So far right that the progressives cancelled it.

[@Lost-In-Blank]

The audio on that video clip is very deceiving. The grain train did report the emergency condition immediately. The problem was that it reported the emergency on the radio channel for the stretch of track it was on, which was in one subdivision. The oil train was in a different subdivision with a different radio channel.

[@Perfection100]

A round of applause to the person who wrote the description of this video.

[@MangoTheOne]

Here’s the original transcript data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425466&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Operations%20Group%20Chairman%20Factual%20Report%20Attachment%2013%20Transcript%20of%20Nolan%20Field%20Radio%20%20%20%20-Master.PDF

[@yarply12]

If the tracks had been just a little further apart. Durn roman roads. Barely enough room for two chariots.

[@cdavid8139]

There is actually no correlation between 'roman roads' and North American railroading. Just one of those fun 'false news' items that isn't true

[@comicsansgreenkirby]

I would actually agree with you on the spacing, besides the false news. _Sidenote:_ How did you misspell "darn"? The [U] and [A] keys have a distance of 6 keys between each other.

[@kevcom000]

C David there’s no correlation between David’s and humor apparently either

[@pudmina]

@@comicsansgreenkirby "durn" is American (Murcan) slang for the slang "darn" which is slang for "damn"

[@donwilson2382]

Seems like some sort of pipeline for crude oil would be the Keystone for safe transportation…

[@daveluttinen2547]

Much respect. Imagine the temperature being VERY cold and now your heated workspace has been decimated and you have to stand in the cold until help arrives. That is not for the faint of heart. Dress accordingly.

[@douglasboyle6544]

The burning oil tank cars might have kept 'em warm.

[@PaulfromChicago]

"Call me as soon as you can, Earl." Fairly terrifying.

[@damonculbert5853]

The one thing you do not want to hear from the engineer of a crude oil train is (we are everywhere).

[@johnrencheck2283]

Id be more worried about being on fire

[@annettelane659]

Very frightening scenario for all involved. Glad everyone was o k but the trauma of the situation can sometimes take a while to get over.

[@tomjoad1363]

especially with younger generations that are ofeended by words ! Djeeeeez ! imagine then being in such a traumatizing experience !

[@Gingerbread303]

@@tomjoad1363 least we know how to spell grandpa 😅

[@tomjoad1363]

@@Gingerbread303 Yeah but I guess your French is shitier than mine. XD

[@billhosko7723]

good grief

[@Gingerbread303]

@@tomjoad1363 okay…😂

[@SuperBuildsInMC]

The audio actually gives me chills...

[@evyiennetla9416]

This is such a heartbreaking sad situation such a mistake would have been incredibly difficult to see after it had already been manufactured and in place for use. It's a big learning lesson we can't be too hard on these guys they deliver our precious cargo over land they are heroes! Thank you to the National Transportation Safety Board I appreciate the educational content!

[@EJ-dp1kk]

This is why i like Pipelines.