Western Railroad Discussion > Rail cars on fire in Phoenix, AZ

Breaking now, don't know any details. Believe it's UP based on a vid clip I saw on FB.

https://www.azfamily.com/news/five-train-cars-catch-fire-in-downtown-phoenix/article_1ac7fb0e-b2a2-11ea-9fdc-4f7c3746b73f.html

Looks like the rear 4 axal locomotive on a local is going to completely burn up...


Allen

Posted from Android

bradleymckay Wrote:
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> Looks like the rear 4 axal locomotive on a local is going to completely burn up...

Hope the crew got away without injury.

I believe that is UP 1407 back there behind the UP 593. Suffice to say what is left of it will be a write off.

This looks to be just west of the former passenger station downtown.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/19/20 21:24 by ble692.

UP Geep on fire!

https://www.abc15.com/news/region-phoenix-metro/fd-multiple-trains-derail-and-catch-fire-in-downtown-phoenix

Ted Curphey
Ontario, OR

ble692 Wrote:
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> I believe that is UP 1407 back there behind the UP
> 593. Suffice to say what is left of it will be a
> write off.
 

---

"They are generators on wheels, so spraying water directly on the car is a bad idea. It's not what we do," said Capt. Todd Keller with the Phoenix Fire Department.

That's a really ignorant statement by the fire Captain.  Does he think putting water on a locomotive is an electric shock hazard, when the generator is not ground referenced?  Does he think a burning locomotive is still capable of producing electricity?  He needs to go take electricity 101 class.

The FOX field reporter is pointing at one of the train cars on fire (the trailing 4 axle unt) and saying the fire fighters are letting
the gasoline that it is carrying burn off. Unit is total loss, they're using warer to extinguish which is going to hurt whatever is left.
Almost looks like a derailment or foreing item on the track that pierced the second units fuel tank.

Out 

radar Wrote:
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> "They are generators on wheels, so spraying water
> directly on the car is a bad idea. It's not what
> we do," said Capt. Todd Keller with the Phoenix
> Fire Department.
>
> That's a really ignorant statement by the fire
> Captain.  Does he think putting water on a
> locomotive is an electric shock hazard, when the
> generator is not ground referenced?  Does he
> think a burning locomotive is still capable of
> producing electricity?  He needs to go take
> electricity 101 class.
It will be when water is put on it just like a power line.  Looks like they did  a good job keeping other structures safe and when they felt it was time they controled and put the fire out watching the video rather quick. Also controling fuel and water mix so it didnt get into anything which could have carried the fire further.
 

Might they have uncoupled the lead unit, just in case the fire spread?   Or perhaps the crew bailed not taking any chances.

radar Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> "They are generators on wheels, so spraying water
> directly on the car is a bad idea. It's not what
> we do," said Capt. Todd Keller with the Phoenix
> Fire Department.
>
> That's a really ignorant statement by the fire
> Captain.  Does he think putting water on a
> locomotive is an electric shock hazard, when the
> generator is not ground referenced?  Does he
> think a burning locomotive is still capable of
> producing electricity?  He needs to go take
> electricity 101 class.

And your credentials from fire and hazardous material training are what?

I highly doubt his concern is anything nearly related to electrical shock. 

 

Looks like an old Sp unit. 

czuleget Wrote:
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> Looks like an old Sp unit. 

Ex-SSW 7654 if it is indeed UP 1407.

masterphots Wrote:
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> Might they have uncoupled the lead unit, just in
> case the fire spread?   Or perhaps the crew
> bailed not taking any chances.

Uncoupling units is not nearly as easy as turning a angle cock and pulling a pin as it is with the cars. You would need to turn the three MU hoses and each side at a minimum, and that would expose you to the fire for far too long.
 

Ted Curphey
Ontario, OR

masterphots Wrote:
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> Might they have uncoupled the lead unit, just in
> case the fire spread?   Or perhaps the crew
> bailed not taking any chances.

Not a single class one railroad employee at least in the ranks is going to put there life on the line to save any RR property. They are treated like garbage and the RR’s get just enough effort out of them to not get fired. It’s a sad reality but it is what it is.

Well there's the problem, diesel engines don't run well on gasoline. That and another reporter that needs to do a 5 minute google search on what makes a DIESEL locomotive run. About as bad as the fire chief not wanting to squirt water on a burning locomotive because it's a "generator on wheels", which is true but I don't think it's making too many killywimples given the situation.

callum_out Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The FOX field reporter is pointing at one of the
> train cars on fire (the trailing 4 axle unt) and
> saying the fire fighters are letting
> the gasoline that it is carrying burn off. Unit is
> total loss, they're using warer to extinguish
> which is going to hurt whatever is left.
> Almost looks like a derailment or foreing item on
> the track that pierced the second units fuel
> tank.
>
> Out 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/20/20 14:26 by SP4360.

There were a few shots posted on our site at RailFanAZ (if anyone wants to see them after the fire).

https://www.railfanaz.com/index.php/topic,5466.0.html

SouthWest RailCams
CA, NM, CO, TX, AZ
https://SouthWestRailCams.com

My fire fighter friend says: spray water on a running generator? Never. Water on a dead generator? Okay, but why would you? Except incidental to fighting the fire. If in doubt, let it burn. d

Okay. The main generator is incidental at this point, guys. I would think they’d hose or foam that fully involved Geep to keep the other one from going up or letting the fire spread to the surrounding area. That’s the main idea of having a fire department.

Posted from iPhone

Pacific5th Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> Not a single class one railroad employee at least
> in the ranks is going to put there life on the
> line to save any RR property. They are treated
> like garbage and the RR’s get just enough effort
> out of them to not get fired. It’s a sad reality
> but it is what it is.

Used to be in the rules that the employees had to protect company property:

L. In case of danger to, or loss of, railroad property by fire, theft, or other causes, employees must unite to protect it.

Back in the early 60s I saw a newspaper picture of a MILW crew in Milwaukee that reached into a burning warehouse to pull out the cut that was on spot inside. That was then. Now, if a crew dared such a stunt, there would be a fair and impartial investigation finding them guilt of sixty-eleven rules.

Personal experience tells me that railroad managers have no tolerance for that (or any other) kind of heroics: https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?11,2350325,2350337#msg-2350337

TAW

And it is STILL in the rules (to paraphrase) that it is the employee's responsibility to protect themselves from injury and in case of doubt or uncertainty the safe course must be taken. In other words, get off and let it burn as the danger from being injured is too great.