| joe-ks.com |
Kansas Bridge Fire
For those who believe nothing exciting ever happens in Kansas
The Good news:
It was a normal day in Sharon Springs, Kansas when a Union Pacific crew
boarded a loaded coal train to head on the long trek back to Salina.
The Bad news:
Just a few miles into the trip a wheel bearing becomes overheated and melts off,
letting the truck support drop down and grind on top of the rail -
creating white hot molten metal droppings to spew downward on the rail.
The Good news:
A very alert crew noticed a small amount of smoke about halfway back in the train
and immediately stopped the train in compliance with the rules.
The Bad news:
The train stopped with the hot wheel on top of a wooden bridge
built with creosote ties and trusses...
The crew tried to explain to higher-ups but were instructed not to move the train...
... that Rules prohibit moving the train when a part is defective.
