Fw: NS and BNSF Railway to Test New Train Brake Technology

[NW Mailing List]

Re.  the"hairy" situation when the train line is  blocked -- on 
March 6, 1965, Extra 1011 East, No. 92's symbol, left  Roanoke
with no air behind the trailing unit, Eng 3473, a  former Wabash
GP-7.  After topping Blue Ridge, the head end  crew became
aware that they didn't have brakes.  Extra 1011  East collided
with Extra  696 West entering the double track  east of
Montvale.
 
Brake test ?  There was a problem getting a brake  test.   But
while the car inspector on the caboose was watching  the 
meter, the car inspector on the head end was looking  for the
problem and manipulated the angle cock, which caused  a
brake pipe fluctuation.  The cause  ?   Engine 3473's brake
system was arranged so that when the angle cock was  cross-
ways the brake pipe, air flowed through the train  line.
Apparently the Wabash had a different way of doing  things.
 
The ICC's Report No. 4051 covering the incident  has not yet
been posted to the DOT web site.  The transcript  on N&W's
investigation is 281 pages.  Brakeman C.C. Cook  ALMOST became
a hero.  He went through the units tripping the  emergency
brake valves, then had a premonition that the problem  was on
Eng 3473.  As the train rolled toward Montvale at  60 MPH, he
got on the footboard and parted the hoses and the  train went
into emergency -- but not soon  enough.  
 
Mr. Neikirk asked: "What did you do after this  emergency 
occurred ?"
 
Mr. Cook responded ". . . .I started talking to  myself.  I said,
'Boy, if you are  going to do anything you better be doing it.'  
As soon as the  headlight (of Extra 696) disappeared, I don't 
know whether he was entering the westbound track  or
whether we was that close to him - - -  -    I CALMLY STEPPED
OFF." 
                                                           Hairy Bundy



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