Eastern Railroad Discussion > CSX Q198 on the ground

CSX intermodal train Q198-27 hit the ground this morning in Martin, SC. Two taken to the hospital, presumably the crew. Hope they will be okay!

http://www.wjbf.com/story/27947855/train-derails-in-allendale-county

Updates show authorities treating this as a "crime scene."

More info:

ALLENDALE COUNTY, S.C. (WRDW) -- Two people have been sent to the hospital with injuries after a train derailment in Martin, South Carolina. Derrec Becker with the South Carolina Emergency Management Division says the scene is now being considered a crime scene.

CSX says around 2:20 a.m. one of their trains was traveling from Savannah to Atlanta when it derailed. They say the lead locomotive turned on its side during the derailment. The two crew members on board were both taken to Doctor's Hospital in Augusta.

Officials say the CSX train derailed after it crashed into two train cars that were parked on the track.

Further on this story:

http://www.wrdw.com/home/headlines/Hazardous-material-289891161.html?ref=161



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/27/15 07:48 by RAILWATCH.

Interesting wording from the link

In a statement from Archroma, workers at the plant say a CSX train took a wrong turn. The train crashed into stationary rail cars being used by the plant.

Did somebody tamper with the switch to cause the wrong turn?

Tominde Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Interesting wording from the link
>
> In a statement from Archroma, workers at the
> plant say a CSX train took a wrong turn. The train
> crashed into stationary rail cars being used by
> the plant.
>
> Did somebody tamper with the switch to cause the
> wrong turn?

That is what I would wager.

I hope they find the perp(s) and send them up the river for a long, long time!


BaltoJoey

Sounds like AMH498.2 on the former C&WC. This is dark territory, correct?

ctillnc Wrote:
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> Sounds like AMH498.2 on the former C&WC. This is
> dark territory, correct?


Current CSX Augusta Sub. Only 2 intermodals on the line are Q197 and Q198, both of which also utilize the Georgia Road to get to/from Savannah/Atlanta. I believe it may still be dark/dispatch track warrant operated.

Vanakatherock Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ctillnc Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Sounds like AMH498.2 on the former C&WC. This
> is
> > dark territory, correct?
>
>
> Current CSX Augusta Sub. Only 2 intermodals on the
> line are Q197 and Q198, both of which also utilize
> the Georgia Road to get to/from Savannah/Atlanta.
> I believe it may still be dark/dispatch track
> warrant operated.

perfect example for the need of GPS switch point position indicators in the loco cabs on non signaled dark territory ...

Posted from Android

I think PTC will detect mis-lined switches..

This sure sounds like vandalism/tampering/sabotage to me....

Photo here http://chronicle.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-01-27/csx-train-carrying-chemicals-derails-near-allendale-sc?v=1422366538 and interestingly there is a signal. Perhaps just a CTC island, I can't tell.

A non-derailment shot of the same location.

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=380964&nseq=3

Vanakatherock Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Current CSX Augusta Sub. Only 2 intermodals on the
> line are Q197 and Q198, both of which also utilize
> the Georgia Road to get to/from Savannah/Atlanta.
> I believe it may still be dark/dispatch track
> warrant operated.

If it's dark, whoever signed off the last "switch position awareness form" will have some explaining to do unless they find signs of the switch having been tampered with after last use. If signaled, would have expected the train to be running on a bad indication and not plow into there like that unless there was some other lapse or problem.

MDH Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Vanakatherock Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Current CSX Augusta Sub. Only 2 intermodals on
> the
> > line are Q197 and Q198, both of which also
> utilize
> > the Georgia Road to get to/from
> Savannah/Atlanta.
> > I believe it may still be dark/dispatch track
> > warrant operated.
>
> If it's dark, whoever signed off the last "switch
> position awareness form" will have some explaining
> to do unless they find signs of the switch having
> been tampered with after last use. If signaled,
> would have expected the train to be running on a
> bad indication and not plow into there like that
> unless there was some other lapse or problem.

The FBI and DHS are both there investigating along with South Carolina State Patrol investigators. I could see the state/local authorities being there by themselves if they were uncertain as to the nature of the accident. However, we generally don't make a habit of sending both FBI and DHS people to that type of a scene unless there's already pretty strong suspicions of the circumstances. They're plenty busy enough without going on wild goose chases.

MDH Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Vanakatherock Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Current CSX Augusta Sub. Only 2 intermodals on
> the
> > line are Q197 and Q198, both of which also
> utilize
> > the Georgia Road to get to/from
> Savannah/Atlanta.
> > I believe it may still be dark/dispatch track
> > warrant operated.
>
> If it's dark, whoever signed off the last "switch
> position awareness form" will have some explaining
> to do unless they find signs of the switch having
> been tampered with after last use. If signaled,
> would have expected the train to be running on a
> bad indication and not plow into there like that
> unless there was some other lapse or problem.


I believe they lock the hand thrown switches with a standard padlock. Not 100% sure though as I haven't been up to one. It only appeared that way looking at one being locked about a week ago. If that is the case, and someone wanted to cause mayhem, then it doesn't appear to be too difficult to just bust the lock and switch the track. Seeing as that spur track didn't appear to have a signal protecting it, the crew likely would have never known until it was too late.

Its a "High Security" padlock, it can be cut but its much harder than your everyday padlock. I work CSX in former Conrail territory and CR padlocks are way beefier than the CSX locks I come across.

LocoCam Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Its a "High Security" padlock, it can be cut but
> its much harder than your everyday padlock. I
> work CSX in former Conrail territory and CR
> padlocks are way beefier than the CSX locks I come
> across

Conrail use to use 102 locks as does Amtrak but i heard they switched to 101 locks

Posted from Android

This report says the "train took a wrong turn." Well, I guess you could say that...Perhaps the engineer didn't read his map?

Hydrochloric acid also spilled.

http://www.wrdw.com/home/headlines/Hazardous-material-289891161.html

And........It remains a possibility that a switch was left lined for the siding as was the case in Graniteville, SC on Jan 6, 2005 and Gainesville, VA on May 2, 1997, both on the NS in "dark territory." This aerial shows the Gainesville wreck. A gas station worker is being removed from the wreckage of his office. The lead engine stopped a few feet short of flat cars loaded with slab steel.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/28/15 14:23 by cinder.

---

Yes, for the most part it is dark territory. Thoughts are with the crew....

http://www.wrdw.com/home/headlines/Community-near-train-wreck-still-waiting-to-hear-its-safe-290426471.html