Harper's Ferry Appalachian Trail Bridge DESTROYED by Train Derailment - On-Scene Aftermath Footage

Harper's Ferry Appalachian Trail Bridge DESTROYED!!! by Train Derailment Harper's Ferry - On-Scene Aftermath Footage!
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[@davidimhoff2118]

Rowan this is the first video I've seen of yours. I've subscribed for various reasons. You are amazing in this video with your confidence, knowledge, camera presence, and more. You are without a doubt a beautiful dude. I think it's great you throw advice in the video about being aware of your surroundings for other railfans to keep them safe. This truly is a very professional job you did. Amazing

[@youmakemelaugh1797]

@@RailfanRowan 🙋🏿‍♀️Hi, yes you did a very good job! thank you for sharing..👍🏿🛤🚆I'm so glad no one was hurt!

[@mrswright2058]

Ditto! Great video!

[@jimwillis176]

Well spoken Rowan!

[@davidheinzmann4403]

Thanks for your public display of Faith

[@davidimhoff2118]

Railfan Rowan You are welcome. I look forward to seeing your other videos. :)

[@ibanezmetal321]

From someone who isn't necessarily a rail buff, and hasn't seen your channel before: This was extremely good journalism.

[@kennethfuller8347]

Excellent coverage and explanation of the whole situation. Good camera work too, Rowan. I'm a long time railfan and enjoy watching trains, derailments and clean up. Again, you did a great job covering this and I have subscribed to your channel because of your professionalism and safe manner in which you went about it. I will surely be watching more of your railfanning vids .. thanks and God bless.

[@joyceparis]

You did a wonderful job filming snd reporting on this derailment. It is now Dec 19-2021 & we just returned from Harpers Ferry’s 100th Old Time Christmas and would have never know this happened had i not stumbled onto it here on your Chanel. We Love Harpers Ferry and plan to return another time. You would make a great reporters son..

[@jerryforeman4543]

Excellent reporting! Thanks for sharing!

[@roberttaylor3890]

Fantastic job covering this! PLEASE keep it up!

[@jopool5840]

What tremendous documentation and delivery of this incident. Well done!

[@stephenmagness5999]

I love anything that relates to the trains. Thank you so much for showing us these interesting footage and information. Glad no one got hurt. God bless young man!

[@RailfanRowan]

Thanks Stephen!

[@robertthomas5590]

Nice coverage, very informative. Thanks

[@davidrusso4750]

Rowan!!! You do an excellent job of reporting on what has happened. Superb!!!

[@gregoryvschmidt]

You are a good reporter. You state facts as they are know, you are clear when you are speculating and also clear when it’s yours or someone’s OPINION, that subsequent facts will clarify.

[@RailfanRowan]

Gregory, thanks for this compliment sir, I appreciate it man!

[@PrismRisen]

RR - First look at this video. Your usual excellence in railroad accident forensics (as you did with the Linden, VA May 2020 derailment). Including the NPS map of the area as an orientation aid was ace! Wonder how old are the bridge footings on the active line across the river. Thanks for all the great action and adventures you have brought us in 2020 - and looking forward to more great videos in 2021.

[@sharronunger7053]

Great video. Thank you so much.

[@robertjwilliams3532]

Drove "around" DC (on the way to Laurel Md) through Harper's Ferry back around 2004-5 a few times. Loved the drive. Having gone this route, it amazes me that those big rigs could even get through those roads!!!

[@timclarke105]

Man, your videos are really well made and interesting. You avoid being sensational and talk through the incidents real calm and matter of fact. As an industrial health and safety officer, I find this information really helpful and can use it to illustrate events that have happened recently. Thanks for your great work. I hope you can make enough to buy a good drone real soon for those aerial shots we'd all like to see. Good luck and stay safe.

[@RailfanRowan]

A drone is certainly the goal, thank you so much!!

[@garydietzel6730]

Another great video. Again, glad I found your channel.

[@RailfanRowan]

Thanks Gary!!

[@a9323hj]

Excellent presentation. Thanks for your videos.

[@RailfanRowan]

Absolutely can't wait to make more thank you for your comment

[@slimjim340]

Love your fabulous vids.

[@jimweimer6725]

I had been on that path a few months before. As we walked across the bridge I said to the wife, I hope they don't use that set of tracks. You could see the many spikes laying about and the rotted ties. The way things looked I wasn't sure if they were starting a repair or disassembling. Great job on video and the close up tour.

[@swampratt36]

Wow ! This impressive , professional young man gives better coverage than a news broadcast in the first 30 seconds of his presentation ! Thanks ! Best coverage on the inter-webs 👍

[@BAZZAROU812]

Yeah.. I'm impressed... He knows his stuff...

[@TABRO284]

Exactly mainstream media is horrific

[@rigodemus6474]

lol i thought the same

[@groundhog7652]

Yea, he did a good job for sure.

[@daviddryden8088]

@Hiccum Blurpaedius You've apparently lost your mind.

[@RichardAlmon]

I love that bridge. Mr. Rowan delivers a professional report from an expert's perspective, it being both entertaining and informative.

[@HD-J.R.]

Rowan, you're very good at this. Better reporting than most of the cable news reporters. Knowledgeable, well spoken and respectful. Well done!

[@bannanapancake]

J. R. - I know right??

[@WestOkieRailroadVideos]

Looks like a classic stringline derailment, a lot like the two that happened at Horseshoe Curve earlier this year. Sharp curve, empty cars right next to the locomotive. Acceleration pulled the cars too much laterally and they just topple over. Thanks for giving us a close-up look at it!

[@samuel_towle]

That is what I was thinking when I heard tight radius and empty cars at the head end. This seems to be happening quite a lot lately.

[@TweezersUnlimited]

*stupid NS and their centerbeam habits*

[@Group_Anonymous]

So it had nothing to do with the driver going too fast for the turn?

[@Widebandit]

@@Group_Anonymous In an over-speed derailment the cars derail to the outside of the curve - with engines likely leading the way. In a stringline derailment the engines pull the light cars like a string to the inside of the curve - with engines remaining on the track - waw

[@michael7423]

Great job reporting, glad nobody was hurt. I’m also happy no hazardous materials were released onto this beautiful land. Stay safe Rowan and have a merry Christmas

[@michael7423]

Railfan Rowan / thank you Rowan, all I want for Christmas is to run into you while rail fanning some day! Stay safe

[@pewdiepiesbrother6200]

Merry Christmas guys but Rowan why are most of your videos on Private

[@michael7423]

PewDiePie's Brother I’m not sure what’s wrong but I didn’t see any private listings

[@swashington942]

Awe Greta would be so proud of you

[@marshalllaw2865]

I've crossed that foot bridge many times. Never when a train passed

[@Framer_Mike]

Made me think of all the locks across the bridge.. :( dean & steves house! Best view in Harpers ferry!

[@wideslammer]

NICE JOB RAILFAN ROWAN! This is a very professional presentation of the aftermath of the derailment. I had seen some video coverage on the national news but this was much more thorough. As a "minor league" railfan," I suppose the locomotives are still sitting there idling so that the water in the radiators doesn't have a chance to freeze in the cold weather.

[@spikespa5208]

Yes, outstanding job! Better than most local news coverage of an accident like this.

[@robertl.fallin7062]

@Ryben Flynn The cold cylinders allows enough of the compression stroke air to escape around the piston rings and valves so a certian level of pressure required befor the fuel will combust is not possible . Glow plugs engineered in to the design used to be common and of course small shots of either are a known starting aid. Caution! Injury or death may occur when using either!

[@kittty2005]

It's spelled ether@Robert L. Fallin, and diesel locomotives do not use antifreeze too costly and leaks or spills would be extremely expensive to cleanup.

[@BenjaminEsposti]

They don't use antifreeze, as the coolant system would require hundreds of gallons of glycol. Modern or updated locos typically have auto start/stop that reduces idling time and emissions, while maintaining engine temps above freezing and maintaining proper air pressure. Even on the old locomotives, they have an automatic valve that dumps the cooling water from the system if the temperature gets too low, thus saving the engine from damage.

[@ducksinarow9272]

Look up Nalco (antifreeze for locomotives)

[@harriettedaisy2233]

Not to self: Chain link fencing is not good protection from falling trains.

[@deadfreightwest5956]

You need at least 1" cedar fencing.

[@lawnmowerdude]

You got that backwards, the fence is there to protect the train from the pedestrian.

[@BAZZAROU812]

@@deadfreightwest5956 Probably stain it for additional protection... 😏

[@homefront3162]

Noted

[@bobbylittle6996]

Depends on the train scale.😛

[@bryanwelsh7608]

Good video Rowan! Wish you could have been there the day before. I live in Purcellville, VA and visited the site Saturday morning around 10AM and Saturday afternoon around 4PM. After the derailment, the train was positioned as follows: Both locomotives were on the tracks just under the girder structure of the bridge. The first (7) grainer cars were derailed behind that. Car number 1's rear end was hanging over the edge of the bridge. Car 2 disconnected from car 1 and was laying on its side in the river. Car 3 stayed coupled to car 2 on its side. Its front of 3 was in the water and its back was held up by car 4 which was on its side with the front 1/4 of the car hanging over the stone of the bridge footer. Cars 5 and 6 remained largely upright but derailed (these hadn't made it to the bridge yet). Car 7 looked like the front was derailed (minor). While I was there in the morning, the work was focused between cars 5 and 6. When I came back in the afternoon, the intact portion of the train was gone. They pulled cars 2, 3 and 4 back up to the bank (WHILE STILL COUPLED!!). They were using two of those white crawler cranes (like the one on the left on back of the truck in your video). I believe that most (if not all) of the damage that you observed would have been sustained as they pulled the cars up over the edge of that stone bridge abutment (definitely the scrapes along the sides/bottom/hopper damage). I was watching from across the river in VA and it made a terrible sound as it was coming up. My amateur research showed that each of those grainers weigh about 30 tons empty so pulling 3 of them over the edge of that bridge was a pretty heavy pull. They had a 4 axle crane on the bridge that I'm assuming they used to get car 2 back on the tracks. If you check your private messages on your FB page, I will provide my contact info if you'd like more info and my pics

[@TrainTsarFun]

We went there a few years ago. Beautiful area. Remember walking all around that area. Walked across that walk bridge. Thanks for sharing. Good coverage.

[@MartyHodge]

KFC tag @ 11:55

[@paradiseroad6405]

...I am a railfan...and also a fan of Harpers Ferry...I've walked that bridge several times...living in Colorado I don't get there as often as I would like...thanks for the video...

[@jogger1987]

I'm from CO as well, and visited WV a few years ago,beautiful area. Definitely want to go back.

[@williambranham6249]

PR: I live in NC and I rarely get there. I grew up walking tracks, trestles. Never had a close call. Probably lucky.

[@Midlife-Adventures]

I’m from Queensland, Australia. Walked the footbridge last year after catching a train out from DC to spend a few days on the AT (after some quality time in Colorado)

[@Dedhedted71]

@@jogger1987 I live near Harpers Ferry and think CO is spectacular! Jaw dropping beauty. Drove all over the state. From Vail to Grand Junction to Durango through Pagosa Springs over to Pueblo and on up to Denver. Time of my life touring with a band.

[@adamtaylor31]

Very nicely done. I have been doing the Google Earth tour of Harpers Ferry in recent days (before the derailment happened) just checking out the history. Its a beautiful little town. Lots of respect to you for your presentation, getting your facts right and reminding people about safety issues, thats very important. Kudos!

[@joansmith3296]

I remember vividly a trip we tool years ago to Harper's Ferry for the history of the place. And I remember that bridge. That's really a shame it got so damaged. For anyone looking for a great historical few days on vacation you can't beat Harper's Ferry for the sheer beauty of the place and everything you can learn there. Thanks for the video.

[@allenra530]

It would appear that the empty cars were at the head end and were stringlined by the weight of the cars behind them. This can happen in local freights if the conductor is not paying close attention to the car weights as cars are picked up or set out. If you are the conductor, you are responsible for how your train is put together and one thing that you always want to avoid is a block of empties ahead of a block of loads. The two recent derailments at Horseshoe Curve were caused by a string of empties, near or at the head end of a long train, being pulled off the inside of the curve by the weight of the cars behind them. (Stringlining)

[@jmangosing]

FOAMER

[@thomasboese3793]

@@jmangosing What is wrong with telling the truth?

[@alcopower5710]

Thomas Boese ......nothing wrong at all. Usually just a jealous person that knows considerably less than the original poster.

[@hillbilly24]

Well as a conductor I can tell you that a new guy is not going to know that. And unless you are a conductor/engineer you don’t know shit either. The engineer should step in and Job brief with the conductor when the job involves something unusual like that.

[@TJP773]

Allen A you’re correct, very simple physics, heavies at head, lights at rear.

[@Mike-tg7dj]

I recognize the building at 5:41 as the old federal armory that John Brown tried to take and failed.At last I think that's the one. Those big door look hauntingly familiar.

[@brandonseyfried1251]

Mike, that's actually the firehouse where Brown made his final stand before Federal troops (led, ironically, by Robert E. Lee) finally captured him. There's still a hand-drawn hose wagon inside. I think Brown was the only one they took alive...only to hang later.

[@JamesAllmond]

@@brandonseyfried1251 You are correct! However, there were several survivors... John Brown was tried and hanged in Charlestown, a few miles away. Poke around a bit and one can find out what happened to the others. Glad the derailing missed that building.

[@morgansterne8592]

I remember the armory as being a round building, but yeah, it had big ominous doors. I could be wrong, it's been over 15 years since I was there, though back then I was there often.

[@chuzek]

He was tried in nearby Charles Town, not Charleston. Both are cities in present day WV

[@LesFairall]

Better coverage than any news channel did. Thanks for the detailed video!

[@daviddryden8088]

Been to Harper's Ferry only once while I was living in WV. A magical little town with so much rail history. Glad there were no injuries or chemicals. The wood trestle looks unscathed. Thanks for the video. Brought back some great memories of my visit.

[@urbanrallyracer]

The bent sections of the walkways on top of the grain cars were possibly part of the recovery of those cars. They look to be directly over (or in the vicinity) of the lift hooks on the bottom of the cars. The rigging crews probably weren’t paying enough attention as to whether or not they were bending anything since the cars are already damaged.

[@royreynolds108]

At that point the push is to get the track cleared and repaired not saving the cars. Many times a torch will be used to cut rods, etc instead of removing pins on brake rigging. Also it is hard to determine if there is any strain on the member and the torch is the fastest and safest method. I have been to several derailments.

[@dutch2120]

Fantastic video Rowan! Like your style, No bullshit, Straight information! Great job!

[@raymondmyers6899]

I've backpacked the entire Appalachian Trail, which means I hiked right across that footbridge. No trains when I was there. Thanks so much for the video and factual reporting.

[@SamThacker]

Thank you for taking the time to provide this update. You did a very good job providing a good picture of what happened and how much damage was done.

[@JeffCKeane]

Very "pro"-ish aftermath report. My personal guess is the train may havebeen going too slow, and *perhaps* in an effort to not stall it, during a slight acceleration, with slack tightening, the lighter versions of the graincars *may* have... uh, "clothslined", shall we say?; and popped those few derailed cars right off their bolster & wheel assemblies, tumbling the bodies off the bridge and down across the footbridge as they continued forward on momentum. Plausible? Could be. Hope everyone has a much merrier Christmas than that csx crew did during this mess!!

[@M200RDS]

Thank you, Rowan, for this interesting view of the derailment's aftermath. 177 years of railroading at Harpers Ferry, and it's still an important through point. Have a safe and blessed Christmas!

[@frankroberts9320]

KFC tag at 11:55.

[@DanielPRails]

Nice spot Frank.

[@tracynation239]

Stobe. ♡ T.E.N.

[@JohnNack]

I noticed as well. I wonder if that was the one he (stobe) spotted in Brownwood, Texas

[@oaklumberjack5608]

KFC tag from the late Stobe the Hobe on one of the cars.. RIP Stobe!!

[@Acidlib]

Didn’t expect to see a heart next to this comment. It’s kind of surprising to see a railfan so much as acknowledge the existence of freighthoppers. Regardless, it’s nice to see since I’ve been following both “communities” off and on for quite a while. RIP Stobe

[@brendanstanford5612]

Damn foamers lol. I've realized not all railsfans are foamers. Rip Stobe

[@RevlimiterWS6]

Saw that too. So cool. 11:45 in the video! RIP Stobe! Loved seeing that!

[@billchapel3194]

It could have been wingman that put the KFC tag on their, i forgot what KFC stood for, it had something to with Cornel something.

[@billchapel3194]

What did KFC stand for anyway? RIP Stobe

[@pascackvalleylinerailfan5037]

I’ve been to harpers ferry before and walked that bridge. The only question is how will the thru hikers get across the river? You made this video very well and explained it the best. Keep it up.

[@powerboy322]

hikers will detour to route 340 bridge

[@pascackvalleylinerailfan5037]

powerboy322, ah ok I’ve been on that bridge as well. Thanks for the information.

[@Hiker33]

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is recommending hikers use shuttles because of heavy traffic on the 340 bridge.

[@FelicianaDelacruz]

Great video and it was refreshing to note your caution and respect of the crews and seeking permission to look around, it certainly speaks volumes of you. Your coverage was so much better than anything the news would do. Sad to see the damage but awesome to know that no one got hurt or killed just a few dented up grain cars. Kudos to you and have a safe and happy new year!

[@BatsonicAbie]

Wow! So glad no one was hurt, and no toxic chemicals were released. First video of yours I saw was you explaining the derailment, then I went straight to this one. You just gained a subscriber.

[@michael7423]

CSX’s maintenance has been lacking for many years, hopefully some day they will get their priorities in line with safety.

[@michael7423]

Railfan Rowan / I just know when comparing Track maintenance with Two similar railroads Norfolk Southern has a much better record I believe. I’ve been a rail fan in the southeast all my life and I also worked with a maintenance of way crew for a short time. I,ve seen lots of neglected CSX tracks. I love the railroad industry and hope the big time bean counters realize it’s less expensive to be proactive with maintenance. Sorry for rambling, I love your channel

[@lnrailroad3215]

@@michael7423 NS had 2 major derailments in the past 3 to 4 months at horseshoe curve. Not sure if it was due to poor maintenance or what, but their accident records seem to be about the same as csx imo

[@davidlentz9683]

@@lnrailroad3215f, I have seen videos of the Horseshoe Curve derailments. The analyses suggest that both were due empty cars towards the front end of the train. Two accidents, at the same location, due the same cause is damning but not to track maintenance.

[@lnrailroad3215]

@@davidlentz9683 as I stated I was not sure of the reason for the horseshoe curve derailments, & in comparing the two railroads number of accidents, it was simply my opinion!

[@kaseyaldrich4746]

Precision railroading. Run em hot, and when it fails, blame signal and MOW

[@TrumpCardMAGA]

Just excellent video. I learned more from it than any news I've found on the subject. Praise God indeed that nobody was hurt.

[@lancer525]

Would that be the same "god" that caused, or allowed it to happen in the first place? And since we're speaking of "gods" which one is it that you're talking about? Since the Sumerians developed writing some 6,500 years ago, historians and scholars have catalogued over 3,500 supernatural beings that can be categorized as "deities" in over 4,000 different cultures. So, which one of those are you talking about? Why would a supernatural being be the least bit interested in a minor species on a minor planet, in a back corner of a minor galaxy that's over 13.7 Billion years old anyway? There have to be thousands of much more interesting habitable planets out there...

[@billbruff9613]

Rowan - I agree with earlier comments. Professional presence, great shots, and a clear presentation of the derailment. Thanks for braving the low temps. to shoot this. More great videos please.

[@MrCarlna]

Thank you for providing the closed captioned, Rowan. Well informed and coverage.

[@darlenestottlemyer9003]

The train was headed to Brunswick Maryland where it was to have change directions the Csx power removed BNSF power added and the train was to leave Brunswick md for Grand Forks North Dakota via Cumberland Maryland and Chicago Illinois

[@SD40Fan_Jason]

Was this a unit grain train?

[@Brianrockrailfan]

great video liked merry Christmas 🎄

[@ollylewin]

Thanks for taking the time to make this for us man. Its awesome. Thankyou.

[@KenKennedy5D]

Well done Rowan, very informative and well shot video, great job !

[@cowboyfrankspersonalvideos8869]

Wow. I haven't been down their in years. Good thing, where they came off it could have been much worse. Imagine if they had derailed on the other side a bit further west and into some of the historic buildings. Or a bit further east and it could have taken down the bridge. I was a volunteer at the Harper's Ferry Interpretative Design Center on top of the hill back in 1992. That was a fun year for me.

[@joemc111]

This is a shame,I walked that bridge.

[@WarHawk-]

Yeah, so did I back in 2005 when I was trying to do a thru-hike. Glad no one was injured.

[@benbaker321]

I was on it just a couple days before the derailleur

[@mikenolan4871]

A very thorough explanation! I rode through there on an Amtrak train the previous week. I took a number of pictures of that bridge as we rode over the one next to it. I was wondering how it all came out. Thanks for the information!

[@distantsignal]

Really nice work, Rowan!! I thoroughly enjoyed your video. Good job on the information.

[@dave6695]

Not only is that a sharp curve but it is also an "s" curve. That is, as this proves, a derailment in the waiting. No wonder the speed limit is 5 mph.

[@SuperMusic12345]

@@RailfanRowan I used to live in Brunswick, and took my kids on the "Santa train" that would run on those tracks each year. We had a CSX Engine at one end, and a MARC Engine at the other (Maryland Area Regional Commuter) with about eight passengers cars. Our speed was about 35 mph. MARC normally takes the Potomac route up to Martinsburg. On that line they run 78 mph. Also, during floods, CSX would line up loaded coal cars from one end of the trestle to the bridge.

[@mongo5392]

It's 10 MPH there.

[@chessiekid4018]

Mongo 53 Thats what I would think it was. Isn’t 5 mph rock off speed?

[@loveangrybirdssomuch]

That horrible

[@ianwells5667]

Thank you Rowan for this insight to a derailment i would not had learnt about if it wasn't for you, me on the other side of the pond never see derailments as British rail like to hide them away, but you being able to get real close to the action and explanation on how it occurred, i'm impressed. Well done

[@savearhino369]

also first of your videos for me. just subscribed. your content interesting and super thorough. going to love checking out all your content in the new year. thanks for being the train guy!!!

[@JT-un7dc]

I've been on that walk bridge so many times while the trains where rolling beside me.

[@reddirtfarm7704]

Most of that cranemasters group is out of the TANEYTOWN MD shop.

[@christinestange4813]

Excellent! Beautiful job documenting! I subscribed. Great work ☺👍

[@schadowolf]

Well done video, nice clarity of view. Great commentary and film work! Thank you for sharing. Liked and subscribed!

[@wilmeaux12]

Fro the looks of that bridge, John Brown may have walked across it.

[@jameslehnert5054]

Not quite that old. That bridge was destroyed/rebuilt several times during the war. You can see the piers from the original bridge @ 6:27 and again at 7:30. The original alignment didn't have the sharp curve that (probably) led to this wreck. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B_%26_O_Railroad_Potomac_River_Crossing

[@JamesAllmond]

@@jameslehnert5054 and the old firehouse that is shown in this video was originally located where the current rail alignment is, pretty much right under where the train derailed. Was moved for the 1876 Exposition, then moved back, new alignment was already planned so it was rebuilt in the current location.

[@stevienox8675]

Bridge was opened in 1894...

[@josephkane825]

Well, at least his Ghost!

[@Gizmologist1]

I grew up in Bethesda, Md. in the 60s and Harper's Ferry was always a favorite weekend trip to sight-see and have lunch at the old Treetop House which I believe is now gone or at least closed. The whole area still has a spirit about it that even 150 years after the John Brown incident, you can still feel. I am sure they will rebuild the pedestrian trail. The townsfolk do a great job recreating a lot of the buildings complete with well executed dioramas. In its heyday, Harper's Ferry was a bustling trade and railroad interchange. I am wondering if CSX learned anything about the dangers of stringlining.You would think after the Horseshoe curve incidents this year that ALL the railroads would re-evalute how they build a train ans stop making such obvious errors in judgement. There are still cars on their sides at the apex of the Horseshoe Curve after the last stringline even in July. They also just had to replaced a series of cracked rails. I would not at all be surprised that the fact that there are no flange greasers on any of the tracks on the curve that friction and heat build-up was the cause or at least a contributing factor.

[@josephlynn85]

Bad car I bet

[@Gizmologist1]

@@josephlynn85 In most of the cases like this, the fault lies with having empty cars between the locomotive and the heavier trailing cars basically pull the empty cars up and over the height of the wheel flanges , an event called stringlining. Light- weight or empty cars should be towards the end of the train when sharp curves in the rail route are known to exist, so as to reduce the load put on the empty cars.

[@josephlynn85]

Gizmologist1 now that makes a lot of sense. I imagine transportation will def try to pass the blame, I heard the track was not to blame in the derailment so I just assume it’s a bad car at that point but what you said makes a lot of sense

[@Gizmologist1]

@@josephlynn85 This same type of event has happened numerous times before on a few world famous routes, the latest one in July of this year on the Horseshoe curve in Altoona Pennsylvania. it happened just a few months after the previous one on the same curve.The stringlined cars were empty processed lumber carrier cars that were completely empty. They are called center rail cars and they are quite light when empty. If you go to 'Virtual Rail Fan' and enter "Horse shoe Curve" you can still see the problem cars laying on their side between the inside track and the hillside.

[@sonnicman]

Rowan, you put together one heck of an informative video. Well done! You've made a sub out of me. No worries about not knowing the specs on the engines. That will come in time. I'm just thrilled that someone your age is as excited about railfanning as us older guys and that our passion for this can be passed down to younger generations.

[@ginnyk50]

Fascinating, glad you popped up in my yt feed. Good work!

[@californiascreaming1131]

I can only imagine how loud the sound of the derailment was, ppl must have heard it for miles...

[@sammoore9120]

Back in the day...there was a railroad line that passed along side the University of Tennessee between the University and the Tennessee River. The Electrical Engineering building was right beside that rail line. I was in it when a derailment happened, In class. It sort of broke up the class. Even the professor was at the window in moments. We got a days entertainment as they rerailed the cars and repaired the line.

[@tammywines9789]

I heard it that night . Omg the sound was terrible !! I ran outside and all you could hear was sirens and yelling !! The lights were so bright in the sky from helicopters . I live 1/4 away from this sight . Just terrible.

[@kbigdawg1]

I live at the top of the hill. I was awake when the derailment happened. It was very loud and shook our house!

[@brucesmith9144]

This going to suck for the AT thru hikers.

[@drewdoestrucks]

Bruce Smith they can cross the Potomac on the 340 bridge into Loudoun heights and walk on the wide shoulder of 340 into WV and back across the Shenandoah to enter Harpers ferry if desired. It’s only a couple extra miles.

[@counterfit5]

Amy Sternheim unless they’re doing a winter nobo. I also saw someone mention they were doing a winter sobo this year. 😬

[@erikwilliams7009]

@@drewdoestrucks Or CSX could get their damn shit together and not let that happen!

[@ElementofKindness]

@@erikwilliams7009 What's it like to be absolutely perfect?

[@erikwilliams7009]

Element of Kindness what’s it like to defend the indefensible ?

[@paulausherman727]

Hey there Rowan thanks for the video great job you have a Merry Christmas God bless you

[@brikapp2871]

Thanks man for an exceptional video.

[@trainmaster67158]

R.I.P BRIDGE well let's hope it gets repaired and that the driver in the rek and crew are ok

[@rogerscott3193]

I walked my bike across that bridge many times to go riding on the C and O canal towpath.

[@jkentsan]

Just stumbled onto your video. Very well done, sir. Thank you.

[@brandyf1932]

Fine video Sir! Thank you from West Texas.

[@paulcoinc]

I would imagine the two things that kept pedestrians safe was time of day and winter. At least for myself I wouldn't be out walking then.

[@johnshepherd8687]

I have walked my bike across that bridge after a ride from DC.

[@StephenCarlBaldwin]

Excellent reportage -- thanks for making and sharing this video!

[@PatrickBaptist]

Thanks for sharing, first time viewer.

[@thepubliceye]

You need a drone

[@thepubliceye]

@@walterpowell8276 Stay high and outside, you still can get great footage

[@stpkryan1165]

I can’t believe that happens and this summer my father shattered his heal bone and we carried him across that bridge

[@PatrickBaptist]

Thanks for sharing, first time viewer.

[@PatrickBaptist]

Thanks for sharing, first time viewer.

[@seldoon_nemar]

So, a little bit of armchair engineering here but here's my $0.02 looking at how the bridge is damaged, that walkway is actually bolted on and hanging out to the side of the rail bridge until it gets past where the damage is. you can see it ramps up a little and goes into the trestle. odd. pop open the old google and I see that because of the loss of the extra rail line through the Tressel, they simply either added switchgear or, more likely, just tossed some padlocks on the pre-existing switches used to let trains go north or south from either lane. since the northbound rail ends abruptly in a parking lot, neither switch has been used in a long, long time. why do i mention all this? The train derailed to the inside of the turn and not really even in the turn. My guess is something in the switch-train interaction went kerfucky midway though. no way to know without seeing the good bits, but it's the usual suspects, lack of maintenance on the switchgear, ice, something hanging a little low on a car and caught something. regardless, that switch is the prime suspect in my highly unqualified opinion. At the end of the day, they will probably just tear that whole bit of gear out and run a single rail like they should have when they sold the northbound leg

[@StevenTorrey]

Does this affect hiking the Appalachian Trail? In answer to my question--YES!

[@williambranham6249]

Only in that a temporary route will be found by the ATC. This is not an uncommon thing as far as temporary relocations. The ATC is a very efficient manager of the trail and they put hikers first. I have been an active member for 20 years.

[@PatrickBaptist]

Thanks for sharing, first time viewer.

[@PatrickBaptist]

Thanks for sharing, first time viewer.

[@timmyfrierson2684]

That’s 2 CSX trains that’s derailed in the last few days.

[@chipcather4042]

Harpers Ferry train what's not CSX BNSF

[@mistergrampy6452]

Nobody on the walkway. Praise God for sure!

[@mongo5392]

It happened at 230 at night. Plus it was like 15 degrees.

[@PatrickBaptist]

Thanks for sharing, first time viewer.

[@PatrickBaptist]

Thanks for sharing, first time viewer.

[@tadheath5856]

Theres two derailments...one in Ohio couple a days ago.....

[@robertwoodward4992]

Yes in Cincinnati

[@edwardhallett9670]

Very interesting! As far as I'm concerned, the only way to have made a better video would have been if you were there and captured the derailment as it happened. Nothing shoddy about your work Railfan Rowan. Thanks for the calm facts without the usual media exploitation. Truly a first class, top drawer Documentation.

[@PatrickBaptist]

Thanks for sharing, first time viewer.

[@chipcather4042]

John Brown killed his first man on the bridge to the right he was a black man in Winchester Virginia he works for the B&O and the Winchester and Potomac Railroad has a freight and baggage handler

[@kbigdawg1]

His name was Heyward Shepherd.

[@Brianrockrailfan]

that's going to take alot of time to rebuild the path on the bridge !

[@williambranham6249]

I agree. However the rail company might step up due to the accident. The rail Company usually owns the structure so it may not fall under the jurisdiction of the agencies listed below.You have to deal with the Appalachian Trail Conference, the National Park Service, the railroad, etc. It will not be a high priority since an alternate route can be found for the hikers. It took over two years to put in a new AT footbridge over Whitetop Creek in Damascus,Va. due to a washout. The local AT club could have done it in less than 6 months but multiple groups had to approve. For God's sake it was a footbridge. In Maine, they cut down a tree or two and let it fall over the stream. Job done.