Three trains involved in 'collision and derailment' in eastern Pennsylvania; no injuries reported
Source: AP
Updated 2:10 PM CST, March 2, 2024
BETHLEHEM, Pa. (AP) Authorities say three trains were involved in a collision and derailment in eastern Pennsylvania on Saturday morning that caused no reported injuries or evacuations but left some railroad cars scattered along a riverbank and at least one partially in the river.
Officials in Northampton County said the derailment was reported at about 7:15 a.m. in Lower Saucon Township along the Lehigh River. The townships police chief, Thomas Barndt, said arriving emergency personnel found multiple trains derailed but no reported injuries. No hazardous materials were involved and no evacuations were ordered, he said.
The National Transportation Safety Board said preliminary information indicates an eastbound Norfolk Southern train struck another Norfolk Southern train that had stopped on the same track. Wreckage from the striking train spilled onto an adjacent track and was struck by a westbound Norfolk Southern train, the NTSB said in an email to The Associated Press.
Authorities said the collision led to the derailment of an unknown number of cars, but there were no reported injuries or release of hazardous materials. A team comprised of experts in train operations, signals and train control, mechanical systems, and human performance was expected to arrive later in the day, the NTSB email said.
Read more: https://apnews.com/article/train-derailment-pennsylvania-3491b1e1c9496414bc88262b54c3d250
elleng
(131,227 posts)OAITW r.2.0
(24,680 posts)Do you ever wonder why train wrecks seem to be always close to or in streams/rivers? I think it's because 1) it was cheaper to lay track beds and track on land adjacent to water ways...and 2) obviously no EPA existed when they were planned out and constructed,
elleng
(131,227 posts)Long and complex story, re: PennCentral and before.
and Conrail, etc etc. etc.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penn_Central_Transportation_Company
DEbluedude
(816 posts)Less tractive effort required to pull. Minimal cuts and fills.
You're correct. It's cost effective.
keithbvadu2
(36,968 posts)Eugene
(61,969 posts)Train A hits train B stopped on the same track.
Trains derail onto a parallel track as train C
is passing.
TheCowsCameHome
(40,169 posts)One train rear-ends another train, a third train coming from the other direction strikes the wreckage.
PlutosHeart
(1,294 posts)no injuries and no chems!
Rare.
yankee87
(2,182 posts)There has to be some kind of GPS tracking on trains. Forward radar?
Putting my conspiracy hat on. Right wing terrorism?
Warpy
(111,389 posts)My money's on another aging and poorly maintained locomotive with shit brakes. This was low speed since no one got hurt, so the moving train that hit the stopped train had to be going really slowly.
The oncoming train on the other track just had bad luck, no mystery about that.
Kennah
(14,348 posts)A crew of two (engineer and conductor) was the minimum, but railroads pushed for a crew of one. I believe because they want a crew of none.
Attilatheblond
(2,231 posts)and you are correct. The bosses want to avoid paying the workers needed to operate safely.
Kennah
(14,348 posts)WSLC is the AFL-CIO state affiliate. All AFL labor participates. I talk to the train guys and listen to the issues of other groups. It's surreal some of the corporate similarities. Train companies want trains with NO CREW, and companies like Uber and Lyft want self driving cars. Cut the workers COMPLETELY out.
eggplant
(3,915 posts)IthinkThereforeIAM
(3,077 posts)... eom.
Stargazer99
(2,600 posts)CAPITALISM IS A FAILURE
chwaliszewski
(1,514 posts)EarthFirst
(2,905 posts)This is no accident -this is a culpable act by railroad CEOs to conduct more with less (crews; maintenance; upgraded infrastructure/equipment
)
Regulatory fines are cheaper than the alternatives to investor profit.
Rinse and repeat.
Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin
(108,320 posts)Number9Dream
(1,564 posts)The Allentown Morning Call reported that it dumped diesel fuel into the Lehigh. It's not plutonium, but it is still hazardous.
Thanks to Trump for deregulating Norfolk Southern.
ShazamIam
(2,577 posts)companies would be making some kind of demand for enforcing safety regulations that would include adequate staffing for maintenance. We had a recent derailment in Northern California along the Feather River. Coal, so at least no toxic chemicals. '
I wonder when the disasters and deaths will be sufficient to put a stop to the de-regulation.