Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

General Discussion

Jazzgirl

(3,744 posts)

12. Okay, I work for a major railroad but don't have any

Reply to MicaelS (Reply #7)

Thu Jul 11, 2013, 06:53 PM

Jul 2013

mechanical experience but what you said sounds pretty much like the explanations I've been given. I'm not a train person but have worked with many in the field.

I don't understand how a fireman could just shut down the engine. You would have to have a mechanism to do that. I know the engineer would have it but why would the fire department have a way to shut it down? Especially with the inbound engineer on site.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

18 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Can someone address what seems to me a bald-faced lie about the train derailment? [View all] Kelvin Mace Jul 2013 OP

Well, if it is a blunt lie as may be the case, then Berlum Jul 2013 #1

You are correct, I think. For safetly, if air pressure drops then brakes engage. NYC_SKP Jul 2013 #2

That is how air brakes work on trucks... Wounded Bear Jul 2013 #3

If it came out of Burkhardt's mouth it's probably a bold faced lie cali Jul 2013 #4

This Wikipedia article supports that idea. MineralMan Jul 2013 #5

Post removed Post removed Jul 2013 #6

Based on my 17 years working as a Trainman and Conductor.. MicaelS Jul 2013 #7

Very informative, thanks, now I get it when they say there were not ENOUGH brakes angstlessk Jul 2013 #8

You mean a siding? MicaelS Jul 2013 #9

Thank you, I have asked this question on some venues and never gotten an answer.. angstlessk Jul 2013 #10

But the grade shouldn't even be an issue if the brakes are set properly, right? pinboy3niner Jul 2013 #11

Well its one of those "CYA" type of things. MicaelS Jul 2013 #15

Okay, I work for a major railroad but don't have any Jazzgirl Jul 2013 #12

News reports said there was a shutdown device on the outside of the locomotive pinboy3niner Jul 2013 #13

It is VERY simple to shut down a locomotive diesel engine. MicaelS Jul 2013 #16

Nice post (nt) The Straight Story Jul 2013 #14

Thank you. n/t MicaelS Jul 2013 #17

OK, then what I thought was a brilliant fail safe design apparently isn't. Kelvin Mace Jul 2013 #18