I am here in Hearne, Texas waiting for the steam locomotive to show up. Seems they had an incedent in Mt. Pleasant, Texas. Bad flat spots on the drivers that they had to grind the tires down to match. They are now firing it up again to see if it will go. May get to Hearne tonight. The E9s are here waiting with a train also.
From what I have been told, the steam locomotive engine brake went into emergency and the diesel in the consist behind it kept pushing.
Odd engine brakes dont go "into emergency" If the trainline did the PCS would open on the diesel and stop it. However I have heard that the 844 said stop the diesel crew kept pushing. Who knows but I miss the days of Steve Lee running the show already.
Ok, I just talked to one of the UP guys. The MU box on the 844 failed. The engineer applied the train brake but the the diesel somehow went to notch 9. The engineer the kept reducing air until the brakes locked up but the diesel kept pushing till it stalled. By then the damage was done,
Sounds like Yosemite Sam should have hollared "Woah! Woah! Woah!............When I mean Woah, I mean WOAH!"
Ha ha ha. Sounds like a very appropriate way of describing the situation. Been a long time since I've last seen one of those cartoons. Should look and see if any are on the 'Net.
Found it! Just as funny as ever: [video=youtube;2PeeO8ltmE8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PeeO8ltmE8[/video]
The train behind the E9s is supposed to be added to the cars behind the 844 and continue on to Austin, San Antonio, Houston and New Orleans.
That's a bad scene. Maybe it will make all the railroads, not just UP, to reconsider letting reliable engines like 844 and 4449 and 3751 and 261 to run without diesel "help" such as this incident. Hope the 844 can complete the tour, though TO had a thread that said it has been cancelled. I also hope that is not the case. :tb-sad:
Possibly cancelled. Yikes. That is bad news. If so, could mean damage is worse than originally thought?
The photo above is my Opperation Lifesaver table that UP had me set up. They told me at 5 this afternoon to come back tomorrow so I guess they hope to make it this far. I will try to post when I find out more. I am using my "dumb" smart phone and having trouble getting a signal out here on the old family ranch where I am staying.