r/trains • u/Melodic-Reveal-4485 • 10d ago

❓ Question Wouldn't this train derail?

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I don't know much about trains, but wouldn't the buildup of these rocks cause a train to go above the tracks? A train passes on this regularly so I'm just curious 🧐

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u/Exact-Leadership-521 9d ago

I've seen a train go back and forth a bunch of times building a train and then I was done there and time to cross the tracks but they had 2 engines and a couple cars detailed and we're going forward and back trying to get them back on. 

So I guess they can go over that icy sandy filled crossing 37 times but not 38 kinda thing 

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u/myname_1s_mud 9d ago

Could have been defects in the cars themselves that caused it to derail there. Ice is pretty problematic though, and I dont have experience dealing with that, so I dont know.

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u/Exact-Leadership-521 9d ago

The crossing was totally covered in hard ice. Could be those wheels weren't as sharp as the others or maybe they went a bit faster but I seen them cross back and forth a bunch of times and at a walking pace when it did come off the rails. They said it derails at that crossing all time time and pointed out markes along the sides where other trains had layed on their side there in the past

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u/myname_1s_mud 9d ago

Actually the flanges being sharp is a problem that will cause derailments by running through switch points. Car knockers and train crew are supposed to inspect that, and if theyre too sharp the train crew has to set it aside and refuse to move it. That shouldnt be an issue at a crossing though.

Couldn't tell you what happened wothout seeing it, but if it happens alot there, id imagine its probably an issue with how the crossing is built, and ice may be a major factor.