Strasburg 475's Accident Aftermath

People were begging me to make a documentary or any sort of video on this on this so this is all I can provide for now. Upon hearing about the incident from several people I decided to fly up to Leman place Junction to see for myself since I had off from work and I'm only an hour away from Strasburg. Didn't get to see much but hey it was worth coming out anyway. We all have heard about 475's accident, what happened, and whatever so this video is pretty much beating a dead horse but I felt like uploading what I saw that day anyway.
Check out the crappost mockumentary someone made on this accident, I don't care if it's making fun of me to be honest. • Video
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[@xzx4696]

as a steam engine enthusiast this hurts to see but I'm impressed how fast it was repaired

[@weylinwest9505]

Yeah, it was only what, a few days to be restored into proper working order?

[@xzx4696]

@@weylinwest9505 Ikr bravo to mechanics excellent work

[@FreedomLovingLoyalistOfficial]

It got repaired?

[@xzx4696]

@@FreedomLovingLoyalistOfficial yes it did I don't know when or how long it took but it did get repaired

[@switchgeer6519]

it does have some pretty nasty scars though. i wonder how hard that'd be to flatten...

[@dennis2494]

I rode on the 475 train about ten days before the accident, I am glad that they were able to repair it so quickly.

[@nathancorcoran5347]

I saw Norfolk & Western 475 a year before the accident happened. September 5th 2021, along with Norfolk & Western 611.

[@Keystone1906_Productions]

@@nathancorcoran5347the last time I had rode 475 in 2022 before it’s accident was October 29th 2022 and the day the crash happened, November 2nd 2022 I was Literally in school at that time. I was shocked when this happened but thankfully it is in service again, but the same can’t be said for Gettysburg 1278 which had suffered a back draft explosion in the firebox many years ago, which Thunder bolt did a video for.

[@rudycarlson8245]

I heard about the accident with the 1278 the reason why it happened was stupidity! They really did not take care of that engine! Hopefully, someday she gets repaired and put back on the mainline where she belongs! But for now she is safe at the age of steam Roundhouse!

[@nathancorcoran5347]

@@Keystone1906_Productions At least Norfolk & Western 475 is still running, except Canadian Pacific 1278 unfortunately.

[@wendellellison3482]

As someone who volunteers for a museum that also operates a steam locomotive, let me say that first, I am very grateful no one was hurt, and my heart goes out to everyone who maintains this wonderful piece of history. Hopefully, they can get her back in working order/certified asap.

[@ericoxner326]

I would hate to be on that crew. About that switch .

[@ffjsb]

@@ericoxner326 Crew should be dismissed for making such a basic error.

[@SCRM_Railfan]

Which museum do you volunteer at?

[@Psychli]

475 was the locomotive that got me into locomotives. It is the engine used in several scenes of "Thomas and the Magic Railroad", that I watched dozens of time as a child. It absolutely broke my heart to see it wreck. Now, I am so incredibly happy that it is repaired and back in service! I did not expect it to be back so quickly.

[@cmb32898]

I just realized that now as I was rewatching old clips of TATMR. I am stunned.

[@desiazi2045]

I SHOULD REMAKE THE TATMR ON THE HOLY HORSESHOE CURVE ITS A MORE PATRIOTIC SPOT THAN SODOM ISLAND FOR AN AMERICAN MOVIE!!!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@fishlickmustaches8088]

I still have the Thomas and the magic railroad dvd, it was my favourite movie when I was a child. I would pester my mom by saying “Mommy! Mommy! Let’s watch the movie again!” 😂

[@railmastergaming]

what you said about the flue sheet not being hit, i realized that to and was so grateful that DIDNT happen. that significantly reduced damage and injuries, so props to Baldwin for building such strong engines!

[@1TruNub]

They sure as hell don't make it like that anymore

[@railmastergaming]

@@1TruNub you said it

[@Sniperboy5551]

I’m not very knowledgeable about trains, but that’s exactly what I was worried about when I saw the video. Whoever was filming must’ve had some giant brass balls…

[@railmastergaming]

@@Sniperboy5551 lol so true

[@zacharyrollick6169]

Yeah, the first time I saw the video, I was having a heart attack waiting for the boiler to come apart.

[@tracianderson9823]

I never knew how intriguing railroad stories and the history about them could be. I love the sound the steam engines make. It is comforting and it takes you back to simpler times. If that makes sense? You're an amazing storyteller.

[@DeerbrookSouthernRR]

What people don’t realize is how far that backhoe got into the smoke box. By the looks of it they were just inches away from a catastrophe

[@jaysmith1408]

The bend of the boom stopped it, if it hit, say, a rail layer, it would have harpooned the thing.

[@poowg2657]

Back in the '70s when I was in the steam program at IRM it was drilled into our heads about track routing first and signal aspects second. Typical call outs in the cab were: "Clear track ahead, green board!" or "Divergent, red board!" Red board divergent always got an immediate emergency applicatiion with the corresponding paper work after the run to ascertain what happened and make sure it never happened again. I can only hope Strasbourg does a review of operating rules to make sure this is a one time occurance. Good video.

[@Messicrafter]

It was the Talk of the "REDI Center" (CSXT's Training Center) while I was there. My instructor said checking your switch points are one of the most important things as a conductor. IMO, both the Locomotive Crew and the MOW team where at fault for this. That switch should have been set the other way, locked out, and a bulletin/Dispatcher Message sent to the Crews operating the line that day. But that still does not excuse the Engineer and Fireman not looking out for that switch, as they do run in "Dark" territory.

[@poowg2657]

Perfectly said.

[@Lockman1986]

Thank you for sharing this story. I have been away from train watching for 2 months and didn’t hear anything about this. Glad to see it repaired so soon. Thanks again. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@CNYRF97]

Probably the most that little switcher has worked in a while, lol. Nice video, Thunder.^_^ Rode behind the 475 last summer with my dad. I was sad to see the wreck, but am happy knowing it's already been repaired.

[@Thunderbolt_1000_Siren]

They use it almost every weekday for freight but yeah busy day for 8618

[@catreader9733]

Thank you for the video footage you could obtain and obtaining Ms. Peterson Rich's video recording (thank you to her for allowing its inclusion). I no longer live in Pennsylvania, but I grew up there, and the Strasburg Railroad's excursion was the second steam train I rode (first was at East Broad Top). When I heard 475 had returned to service so quickly, I wondered if they had borrowed parts from other locomotive stock. I had no idea she was wearing a stitched together smokebox door. I am moving even farther away in a couple months, and I am hoping to get back to at least the Pennsylvania Railroad Museum before then. The GG1 is my favorite locomotive; I saw them daily as a little kid, and I need to see Rivets and the other GG1 again, as well as the other exhibits. The right of way that passed my house has gone from 4 electrified tracks to 2 non-electrified tracks. I couldn't go to bed on nights when the ballast cleaner ran, both from interest and the extremely loud noise.

[@The8BitNerd]

I guess this is the closest we will get to two documentaries back to back

[@Thunderbolt_1000_Siren]

Even though this doesn't exactly count as one

[@trainlover123trainsrock]

@@Thunderbolt_1000_Siren I’m glad this exists. Your the only other person to be at the scene of the accident while 475 was still there.

[@KDubielak]

@@Thunderbolt_1000_Siren I do feel very bad for Strasburg railroad

[@AndrewTheRocketCityRailfan4014]

Meanwhile, I made this on my 2nd channel: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3rXpGihn9WEmrc I did it my second channel due to the fear of the owner taking it down and possibly getting me in trouble. So it was better bearing the consequences for my 2nd channel and not my main channel should my parody get taken down by somebody that isn’t me.

[@bdub215]

The panic that happened this day (maybe rightfully so, maybe premature) was insane. I figured, no one got hurt and it happened at the best place probably in the country to do a repair like this, it shouldnt be too much of an issue. I'm curious what the FRA will say or has said about this whole thing. side note- i'm hoping all of our other local steam operations have taken notice though and double down on operating procedures and safety. it could've been worse in so many ways.

[@matthewpowell2429]

This gave me a heart attack when I first saw it, thank goodness Strasburg was able to repair the damage as fast as they did.

[@WindCityRailfan]

Awesome to know everyone was ok and that they where able to get it up and running shortly after

[@oldgoat142]

The last time I rode a train in Strasburg was Saturday October 15, 2015 and it was that very excursion train pulled by 475. It was part of a vintage baseball tournament sponsored by the Strasburg Railroad. I was on a scratch team which won the tournament so in a way, this is almost personal for me. A lot of folks in the crowd were all dressed up in vintage clothing, right down to a baby buggy for a couple of infants, and there were a few Doughboys there as well. I remember distinctly how I felt as I played right field and I could see down to the track where the train was stopped to bring up more spectators. I felt like I had gone back in time 100+ years. What a great memory!

[@warriorpredator128]

As a steam engine fan, I was shocked to hear this. I really hope nothing happens to the rest of my fav steam engines (Big Boy and 844 for example). But bravo to people that fixed 475 after the accident. They were quick with it

[@nicholmansgarage3501]

All in all I'd say that while this wasn't all that bad, it was most certainly a wake up call. The big thing is that no one got hurt. The other big thing is how quickly they got 475 back in service. She has a few battle scars but I'll take that over an extended time out of service any day

[@Gabethenwr77]

It’s a relief that nobody was hurt

[@EvilTurkeySlices]

This is the best kind of accident, it highlights a flaw without major consequences, the airshow at Dallas wasn’t so lucky unfortunately.

[@Gabethenwr77]

Yea rip to those who lost their lives that day 😔

[@davidbennett603]

So happy they fixed It! 475s story will live on!

[@htos1av]

Good documentation work. Thanks for posting!

[@DC4260Productions]

It's a relief that no-one was injured, and to me it looks like that SW8 was an unsung hero that day.

[@TheEnterpriseStudios]

When I Saw the accident I Felt Bad because 475 Was The Rainbow Sun Locomotive For TATMR And This was Her First Crash Ever

[@crystalkauffman2463]

Bro I was talking about that too😮

[@61rampy65]

Congrats on 100k subs! I started watching your vids about 2 years ago, but then you fell off my radar, and for the life of me, I couldn't remember your channel's name! Luckily, one of your vids popped up in my recommended list, so now I know where to look! Vid quality is soooo much better than before, and they weren't bad to begin with. So sad to see a steam engine damaged, glad they got it fixed quickly.

[@furioussherman7265]

Funny that a pair of Thomas replicas were in the workshop that Strasburg 475 was repaired in since Strasburg 475 was the locomotive used in the Shining Time Station segments of the 2000 film Thomas and the Magic Railroad.

[@thomassoniccarsfan1220]

why did they have spare dummy thomas units even though they have a steam powered thomas made out of strausburg number five.

[@brettdavis80]

Damn, I’m an hour away myself near Valley Forge. Have ridden the tracks many times with wife and son when we would visit when my son was a little boy. Even rode with Thomas. Thank god the engine didn’t pop its cork and no one was hurt. Now I have a reason to go visit the railroad and museum again.

[@Thunderbolt_1000_Siren]

Oh wow another local from my area! I'm across the river from you guys in the West Norriton area.

[@brettdavis80]

@@Thunderbolt_1000_Siren Grew up in East Norriton, right behind Woody’s golf course, now Einstein Montgomery Hospital. Currently reside in Trappe, next to Collegeville and close to Ursinus College. I use Valley Forge cause that is our back yard and everyone knows Valley Forge!!!

[@Thomasboi01]

Strasburg 475 is one of my favorite steam engines and I'm happy that she's back in service again! I would hate to see her scraped to me she's a special engine in a great and magical way which makes her more magical.

[@mudducke8]

I'm an engineer at a railway museum in Kentucky. It is pounded into our skulls to check each and every switch before proceeding through them. I'm glad to see it repaired so quickly kly but that accident should never have happened. Complacency kills.

[@SDE1994]

and this is why we have interlocked points here in the UK, so crews cant just forget about pointwork

[@robk4099]

Thank you for the great news!!!!! It was depressing to hear about the accident but now it’s all ok

[@deborahmaidon4017]

Nice job on the video documentary of the accident.... Happy that no one got hurt.... I used to be a brakeman on a tourist Railroad in Indiana and saw the video right after it got posted and noticed that they forgot to flip the switch.... lesson hopefully learned....

[@bigkiwimike]

My heart goes out to the crew!

[@stevenbullock9276]

Great video. Thanks. Didn't realize they had fixed it that quickly. Wonder if they can make a new door in the future

[@Unknown_Ooh]

Wow glad to hear the train was repaired so quickly. I would've thought the train would've been laid up for a year or so.

[@rebeccahuygen7260]

I can't believe 475 is back in service after a week in the works. Just imagine if they can overhaul an steam engine that quick.

[@ffjsb]

It's impossible to overhaul a steam locomotive that quick...

[@rebeccahuygen7260]

@@ffjsb I know it's impossible but just imagine if you could. Please? Elijah Stevenson

[@ffjsb]

@@rebeccahuygen7260 It's impossible to imagine, because it's IMPOSSIBLE to do. Do you even have a clue what it takes to do an overhaul???

[@cameronfinnie9706]

I remember going to that exact same spot where you caught the Amtrak's when I got to play fireman on 611, shame to see it pop up again in such a sad scenario. Glad to the engine is already fixed up and back on her wheels, the crew down there seems to have handled the accident well, all things considered

[@EvilTurkeySlices]

Strasburg has the best steam shop in the country(maybe the world) not surprised 475 is back again so soon. I’m sure they’ve adjusted their procedures to account for a situation like this in the future. The apparently left the scars on the firebox door to remind the crews to be careful in the future.

[@SentientMattress531]

Anniversary of the Ashtabula Rail Disaster is coming up in about a month. Definitely an idea, and I suggested this last year to

[@LegendaryCollektor]

it adds history to an engine that has made history by herself those will be battle scars - of how even in her old age she's still a good workhorse for even a tiny railroad like Strasburg. it's kinda...cool to see.

[@kev996]

I rode on the 475 train a few weeks before the accident happened. Glad to hear everyone is ok.

[@wildcatindustries8030]

After the accident I went to see 433 since it’s like an hour away. I wondered if the damage to 475 was irreparable if they would scavenge parts from 433. Thankfully they didn’t have to but I would really love to see the other surviving sister run again as well. They seem like very nice tourist locomotives. Small but powerful

[@Treman262]

Great video. Answered a lot of question and brough closure to this. Thank you for the effort

[@justinmalachinski1]

Love your vids man look forward to more

[@themistakeisintentional-dn5df]

This is the kind of story I could see Rev Awdry adapting into a story in the Railway Series.

[@Arkay315]

I liked the new introduction.

[@c.c.studios835]

I’m thankful that Strasburg took there time to repair an locomotive that appeared in Thomas and the Magic Railroad.

[@fairportrailfanproductions8801]

From when I heard about it from my friends, I pictured it was going faster and derailed, but this is not as bad as I pictured it. Thank the lord nothing happened to anybody.

[@harrisonofcolorado8886]

ALWAYS remember to check if the switch is back in it's correct position.

[@thomasklimchuk441]

Maybe some body should have line the switch and locked it

[@LanceB1960]

A great job covering this accident. Nice camera work and narrative.

[@drewbarker8504]

Well done sir. It’s nice to see 475 going again, but also that everything was done the right way

[@theventuracountyrailfan]

Sebastian deyoung strikes again

[@robertbate5790]

Wow, that was a fast repair. Well done guys 😄👍👍. Thanks for the video update too 👍👍👍👍. So glad no-one was injured, it could have so much worse. 🇬🇧

[@daltongalloway]

Trust me guys, these accidents are nothing like what happens in Sodar. Sir Toppem Hat is running an insurance scam over there

[@drgwnut]

Yikes. Scars are evident. Will they eventually grind those welds down and make the smokebox look a bit nicer?

[@TrainLover-wt9ix]

Thank god the crane didn’t go deeper into 475, cause an explosion could have had been very, VERY bad!

[@jameskerner7782]

You're lucky that the people from Strasburg didn't give you a hard time filming this!

[@ffjsb]

Maybe they should worry more about their safety procedures....

[@believeinthelostengine3326]

As a kid I used to watch TATMR religiously and was always fascinated whenever 475 came on screen because it felt so unique. And now the real live steam engine I used to with on my DVD has battle scars to prove it will stand the test of time and it's a legend that will never die

[@jamesfracasse8178]

Sir Topham Hat was cross, this will confusion and delay

[@SLR_6]

475s accident Reminded me about Sodor Fallout when Toby crashed into the break down train for you know what I mean

[@avlisk]

". . .beating a dead ( iron ) horse".

[@Tylercm262]

I heard it was wrecked. But I didn't know it had already been repaired! Luckily complacency didn't cause any bodily harm this time. Don't think we'll see anything like this from Strasburg for a very long time. And hopefully other places take this lesson and we don't hear anything like it anywhere else too.

[@Godzilla20191]

5:00 “I’m Thomas” “I think you’ll find in Thomas” “no im Thomas”

[@300hiker]

I live in the ‘Burg and can hear the trains from my house! I never heard of this incident. Thanks for sharing!

[@richdiscoveries]

Wow, that could have been much much worse, the arm lined up perfectly with the center of the boiler. Thank God it held.. I really strasburg, and what they are doing there to preserve our rail history. I went there a few years back in didn't know what to expect, figured it was just another historic railyard but I was wrong. The whole property and operation is absolutely amazing. From the locomotives to the still using historic rail repair shops, I was blown away by what I saw

[@calebkao2239]

I drove through Lancaster County last Saturday! And I saw the trains running normally that day! Idk if they still run the 90 train in addition to the 475 one.

[@jordaneriksson5417]

Watch Donald and Douglas while watching this and trying to time Donald's crash with 475 running into the Excavator (The danger theme in that fits perfectly well with this) (also RIP Toby from sodor FALLOUT that was kinda of the same reference but with a Excavator instead of the Breakdown Train)

[@adventureguy4119]

when in operation who owned the trains, I know lake ships where owned by life insurnace company. They are obserdly expensive machines so is there like stalks of ownership?

[@paulsmith5398]

That incident reminded me of an article in one of the railroad magazines about a GG-1 losing part of a drive wheel quite close to Leamon Place, in which a rescue GG-1 was summoned to take the train to its destination, while the ailing GG-1 was taken to the Strasburg shops for replacement of the damaged drive axle. I dont have that magazine anymore, so i cant go into details about that incident, bummer.

[@tractorjunkco9431]

I work almost next to this railroad, and I very much remember this happening.

[@countpicula]

That intro song slaps son. Subscription earned.

[@Estolcles]

Multiple Thomases: Thomaii

[@aaron-prime117]

Now there’s something unexpected a switch or diesel pulling 475s heritage train. Pretty cool actually

[@HistoryintheDark]

Steam Engine vs. Excavator. Excavator wins. Flawless victory.

[@iankemp1131]

Quite a shock to see that there was no interlocking between signals and points so that a signal couldn't be cleared if the points were wrongly set. This has been compulsory in the UK since 1889 ... Also, breaking the front tubeplate seems unlikely to cause a full-scale boiler explosion? The boiler pressure would be released forwards but the tubes themselves aren't under internal pressure. If the firebox were distorted and broken, that could harm the crew, but you'd expect the tubes to bend instead to absorb the impact. There have been many spectacular accidents over the years with steam locomotives including high-speed collisions, but virtually none ever caused boiler explosions. Certainly agree that the repair was done impressively quickly.

[@lycanmotions]

You wont believe that there was also a bump involving two Scotsman trains up at Edinburgh, Scotland.

[@truckspotting7473]

That should have never happened but I'm glad everyone was safe

[@necluda001]

5:09 it would likely be ‘Thomasi’ (Tom-miss-eye) if your wondering.

[@highpath4776]

Thomasi ?

[@christianness8983]

I just started working in Intercourse and I can hear the steam locomotives over at Strasburg when I'm at work.

[@timgeissler6045]

Glad they got her fixed when I first saw the crash my heart sank figured it was the end for the old girl

[@jamesweber1827]

The picture of 475 at 9:59 looks like a MMA scar.

[@CSX_2057]

Sad to see the results from the accident. But I'm happy they're running the 475 again😊

[@Forgetful27]

The crash looked bad, although it was just the front of the locomotive but, the smokebox door was destroyed

[@anotherordinaryguy4992]

Intro music is undertale - spear of justice.

[@jackcosmic11]

I had no idea about this until now

[@xenon53827]

They locked the switch off, but didn't check that the direction was set correctly? That's a bit Buster Keaton isn't it?

[@jonathanpalmos2911]

Can't stand driving that section of Rt30. Even when it opens up to two lanes for the outlets.

[@class28studios78]

Wow, this accident happened just a week ago (i think) and already you're making a documentary about it.

[@Thunderbolt_1000_Siren]

It technically isn't a documentary. More or less a railfan video/report mashed into one

[@jasonstinson1767]

@@Thunderbolt_1000_Siren Would you call this a Case Study?

[@Thunderbolt_1000_Siren]

@@jasonstinson1767 Like I said it was more of an ordinary railfan video with a twist. Just me catching what I could on that day

[@jasonstinson1767]

@@Thunderbolt_1000_Siren Great job. Seems like the saying about luck, when preparation meets opportunity, applies here. Thank you for your efforts.

[@Jdaminbf4]

How come virtual rail fan didn’t include it in a grab bag

[@nstrainmodeler22.official]

At (6:07) in the video u can see me standing in the grass also filming LOL.

[@johncarrillo518]

Damn. They fixed it up already? Now 475 have some scars on her.

[@jordandorsett3106]

0:01 Ready Undyne

[@levimccallum7722]

I got no clue what the plural of 'Thomas' is, but I like to think it's Thomi (Tom-eye)

[@demiguertena]

the undertale music really tied this all together for me

[@djpuglife2230]

Fuck me i was expecting atleast 2months down time for the repair glad to see that it didn't puncture the flu sheet though

[@eaglescout1984]

_heard intro music, fingers instinctively go to the arrow keys_ Thanks for taking the trip there. I saw the posts starting to come through on rail fan social media and wondered where they go from there. Also, I bet they were taking it slow because the steam is needed to lubricate the pistons, but the didn't want to build a big fire with the flue damaged.

[@Thunderbolt_1000_Siren]

True. When I started work at the RR I work at I've learned you NEVER tow a steam engine cold (unless otherwise such as a museum display)

[@Denusa]

Great video especially since it was done on such short notice

[@thomasthetrainfan4660]

I love your vids and for more in the future

[@charleyl264]

Awful music, and way too loud. Enjoyed the video otherwise. Accidents do happen, and this was clearly one of them. Glad that no one was injured, and the repairs to the engine were made very quickly. It looked to me like a contractor mistake, but the engineer and crew should have been watching the switch positions, especially on the first run after the contractors had been working.

[@kblue4648]

did they use 8618 to pull the trains while it was being repaired or was there no trains at all?

[@Redwagon2012]

90 was down so As 89