Posted on 07/23/2007 10:10:11 AM PDT by tgslTakoma
WATERTOWN, N.Y. - Monday July 23, 2007 12:03 pm
A runaway military train coasted for several miles Monday before derailing, causing a propane tanker to catch fire and forcing evacuations, a fire official said. No injuries were reported from the accident, just after 9 a.m., said Watertown Deputy Fire Chief Milton Sayre. Businesses and homes within a half-mile area of the area were evacuated and part of Interstate 81 was shut down as a precaution, Sayre said. Firefighters quickly extinguished the flames, but the evacuation was to continue until authorities could identify all the materials on the derailed cars and make sure there was no further danger, he said.
Sayre said he was told the train was carrying Army equipment bound for Iraq but had no further details about the cargo or the reason the train began rolling.
The train originated at nearby Fort Drum, home of the 10th Mountain Division light infantry. Fort Drum spokesman Ben Abel said the Army had no immediate comment and referred questions to civilian authorities because it occurred off the post.
The runaway train derailed after striking a vehicle being used by a Conrail work crew repairing some rails, Sayre said.
"The work crew had taken over the tracks. It (the train) just coasted down, that's why they weren't expecting anything," Sayre said. "It's about eight miles. It's not steep but it's all downhill. It sounds strange, but that's how accidents happen."
Hazardous materials teams from Watertown and surrounding communities were on the scene. The Fort Drum Mobile Incident Command Center also was sent in.
Sounds like a project of some enterprising leftists/anarchists. Time will tell.
If the military train is a runaway, does this mean it “deserted” it’s tracks?
Downhill?.....Parking brake not set?.......
old Charlie stole the handle and
the train won’t stop going —
no way to slow down.
Expect more things like this to happen since they lowered the standards at basic “training.”
I suspect this was a civilian train carrying military cargo under contract. Too good an opportunity to bash the military to pass up, I guess.
TC
Did you leave off the ?
More than likely the Army contracted with the local carrier to move military related cargo and just the media immediately implicates fault on the the military.
BTW: What's the MOS for "train engineer" ?
That’s what I get for being a SA.
Does Drum operate it’s own train ?
he was going down a grade making 90 miles an hour,
The whistle broke into a scream.
He was found in the wreck with his hand on the throttle,
Scalded to death by the steam.
Im not sure, most of the bases my sons have been on all have some sort of rail line going though them to move equipment, but who actually operates it is, I dont know.
Great movie! One of my favorites.
doh!
Union labor.
Well, I learned something. I thought Conrail had gone away, but apparently there is still a Conrail operated as a JV by NS and CSX.
...Operating a train: training. Runaway train = inadequate basic "training."
Runaway train never comin’ back
Runaway train tearin’ up the track
Runaway train burnin’ in my veins
Runaway but it always seems the same
- lyrics from Soul Asylum - Runaway Train
Great photo posted above from the movie Runaway Train, anyone who hasn’t seen it needs to check it out. It didn’t make much of a splash when it was released years ago, but Jon Voight and Eric Roberts are really good in this flick.
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