ALDON (R) Portable train derailer, derailment at TTCI

[Fan2La]

To see If it can with stand the pressure of it

[jorasave]

someone please, what is this test for? test the wheels hardness or the suspension really like to know thanks ..

[derailexpert]

@jorasave The test was to a) set a baseline for the actual dynamics involved in using this particular derail geometry, b) text the unit for strength and durability relative to theoretical determinations, and c) determine the what areas need to be improved.

[RailsandRoads]

I noticed right when the 3rd wheel derails, it looks like one of the fans falls out of place in the screen area

[zimtower]

Apparently Bin Laden found this video.

[KinetikPlayground]

Ha, looks like that unit has derailed at least once before

[kleetus92]

What I find interesting is how the second axle skid and then spit the derailer out the back, and the third axle did the same. It was only tight for the first one. Kinda makes me wonder if it would survive the second truck, let alone any successive units or cars.

[derailexpert]

@kleetus92 If you look closely that happens on all three wheel strikes. Common with lower-speed derailments. The wheel lacks the velocity to maintain a full-pass trajectory upon exit. That is, the rate of wheel decent is too great for the longitudinal velocity to keep the wheel flange clear of the derail. You may also note that this movement is withheld to one tie space; by design. Yes, it does survive the second truck and successive cars.

[kleetus92]

@derailexpert Fair enough.

[kelvintwt]

they use it at yard exits to derail runaway trains. prevent them from getting into the mainline.

[sforzando1213]

This videos are fun to watch! It must have been a pain to re-rail everything after each of these tests.

[derailexpert]

Actually it USUALLY isn't too bad with a big enough crane are a set of rerailers.

[optmius99]

why would u want to derail a train as long as most locomotive will automatically stop if there is no input from the engineer for a few seconds.

[derailexpert]

A derail is not used to combat "normal circumstances" like a loco not automatically deammanning. It is a safety device for when all else fails. Usually, the danger is not from a faulty locomotive. 90%+ of the time the failure lies in the operators. Failure to properly chock/brake static cars or locos (run aways), pushing in too close to buildings or work areas, or such. You never "want" to derail anything but it is always the last resort.

[darkyoda]

You forget to mention derails that are used to protect crews themselves. Such as the blue flag type which are placed when working on or around a locomotive. Those types are used to derail a locomotive to prevent it from running into a pit where crews are working, or even situations where the track gang are doing maintenence.

[bekkinkannu]

Is it possible to use this at higher speeds?

[derailexpert]

Absolutely.

[Ham549]

Uh no, every time I hear of them trying to be used at high speed the train just clips them off and keeps going.

[derailexpert]

Didn't say "high speed"... Just "higher" speed. If you want a "high speed" derailer you'll need a switch-point derail. Not what this is intended for.

[optmius99]

thx for the info.

[MilwaukeeSDman]

THEY USED A SD40T-2!>:-( ASS HOLES!

[derailexpert]

It was actually an SD45T-2M. Those assholes were me and the crew at TTCI. Those "assholes" at TTCI have been the single most pioneering group to enhance the safety and performance of the rail industry you apparently love. So, show some respect and cork it.

[MilwaukeeSDman]

O Sorry. I feel really bad. I am not very good at engine Classifacation. My mistake. BTW is it ex DRGW?

[derailexpert]

I can't say that I know if it was an ex Denver and Rio Grande Western piece of stock.

[Ham549]

Those people also crashed my favorite locomotive a F40PH, This data helps them understand how to make things safer and they DO get results the first test was a cab car vs a F40PH with the cab car ending up getting ripped to apart, if that was a real train crash almost if not every one in that car would be dead, the F40PH received mild damage.

[Ham549]

@Ham549 The next time they tried the test with cars they had modified based on the data they had collected the car stayed intact instead of ripping open, thus making it very survivable if it had been a real train crash.

[countryboy44555]

Why would this be used

[derailexpert]

You can think of it as a lock-out-tag-out device for the railroad industry.

[derailexpert]

They already buy it. CSX, NSRR, BNSF, YP, and many short lines have purchased them.

[jdmars02]

OCHOCINCO

[Nathanrailfan]

Why would anyone want to derail a train? It would take several days and several man hours to re-rail a train, depending on how bad the derailment is the cars or locomotives might not even be re-railed at all.

[derailexpert]

You must be a bit new to the concept of a derail. There are many reasons for using derails. One way to think about them is they are the ultimate lock-out/tag-out devices for a track zone. They are also used for the final word in anti-fouling And other assorted reasons. Again, they are LAST RESORT devices and are mandated by the FRA and OSHA. They are very common rail devices.

[thetrainman407]

its happens very infrequently, but it does happen. there are 2 derails on our DM&E line in town, and they do their jobs when need be. there was a train about 8 years ago doing about 12 MPH that jumped a switch, and the derail did its job in that case, no one was hurt or killed, but the train stopped instead of continuing into a building as it would have if the derail was not there.

[Nathanrailfan]

I think installing a derailer should be last resort for low speed runaway trains. A train that is 90 to 105 mph, I would not bother installing a derailer at that speed. Once a train hits a sharp curve, it will derail itself anyway. Not every train is just the locomotive with no cars.

[derailexpert]

It IS the last resort. If a derail has been struck MANY warnings went unheeded. Correct, the number of cars dramatically alters the dynamics of the derailment. Note that our tests were not just a locomotive even though thats all you see in the video. Also note that these are ultra-lightweight portable derails designed for low speed operation. Anything short of a switch point derail is not substantial enough for mainline speeds.

[Alexking99]

something fell at 0:06

[derailexpert]

I'm pretty sure it was the radiators. I didn't check it at the time; but I'm pretty sure.

[csxt4685]

it was the radiator fan shroud

[robertgift]

Is there no less damaging, costly way to stop a train or runaway railcar?

[derailexpert]

There are many ways to stop rolling stock. A derail of any type is a last-resort device. When all else failed, the derail should take it off. Especially if it's a switch point derail.

[Ham549]

This device not only saves lives it also saves equipment, a train rolling onto a active track can cause a full out train wreck, it's better to haul your equipment to the repair shop then the scrap yard.

[robertgift]

Wish there were a way to slow and stop a railcar without putting it on the ground.

Like something that would squeeze against the flange and stop it.

Buthat would be too expensive and not portable.

Also, a heavy car or cars may force their way through.

[RerailMe]

Now..do it at 50 M.P.H!

[derailexpert]

If we could find a place that would let us we would have. :)

[InformationCenter]

Why do they put this on the tracks? Is it for like if there is a tracks missing ahead or something this would just slighty derail it?

[derailexpert]

There are many OSHA and FRA reasons to use a derail. For the most part you can consider it a lock-out tag-out device for a track section.

[1fiddy3]

look at the radiators flying around in the engine compartment

[myday16]

thanks derailexpert.

[FlyBikes089]

Interesting!

[Bus7777]

Holy crap I'd be scared!

[derailexpert]

The locomotive is TTCI's DTFR 2003 class C-C locomotive. It is an EMD SD45T-2M tipping the scales at approximately 383,775lbs.

[myday16]

what kind of locomotive is it?

[okzoia]

Can someone locate the video GTN3703 mentions? We'd love to see it, or something like it. Thanks.

[GTN3703]

In conductor school for CSX, they showed us some footage of a cut of about 20 cars rolling at a pretty good speed, then derailing and pilling up on top of each other. It was an awesome sight, I'd love to see it again.