Report: Overloaded Cars Caused Connecticut Train Derailment

March 3, 2017

  • March 3, 2017 at 5:19 pm
    Agent says:
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    Hard for me to understand how train cars going 10 MPH can derail. I do understand the cars going 106 MPH in New York on a curve derailing.

    • March 6, 2017 at 4:17 pm
      Rosenblatt says:
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      Weight plays a factor here. A heavy freight train may struggle on sharp curves as forces pull intermediate wagons off the rails.

      So a properly loaded train taking this curve could safely do it at 10mph; however, overload the train and you have to go slower than 10mph or else physics will knock you off the rails.

      Another example: Try to take a 90 degree turn in a sports car at 30mph = you’ll be okay. Try to take a 90 degree turn in an truck that literally weighs a ton = that won’t end well.

      Does that make sense?

      • March 6, 2017 at 4:37 pm
        Rosenblatt says:
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        Try to take a 90 degree turn in an truck *at 30mph* that literally…”



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