Train Derailment - Kaukauna, Wisconsin

This is an aftermath and cleanup process of a derailment of a Wisconsin Central Ltd. train on March 25, 1999. Nineteen cars jumped the tracks which was caused by a hotbox on a ballast car, if I remember correctly. The hotbox set fires along the tracks several miles back earlier in it's ill fated trip. Notice the scattered lumber from one of the cars which derailed as the tracks were closely parallel to a road. Luckily, no one was hurt.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• trains
• railroad
• derailment
• Wisconsin
• Central
• Kaukauna

[rainking79]

This is scary... I live in Kaukauna, about 100 feet from that very same rail line that this accident happened on. The trains go SPEEDING through about 20 times a day here. The house shakes every time it goes by and I still think those damn trains go WAY TOO FAST so close to a residential area. To the guy who posted this -- do you have any videos of the accident as it happened? I've always wanted to see it...

[Soo6032West]

Sorry, no "as it happened" footage. I was working a second shift job at the time it happened and headed over to the wreck as soon as I got off of work, hence the late night time on the video.

[Boss302fan]

If the railroad was built before the houses, they are WELL within their right to operate their asset as they see fit. They are a for profit enterprise hauling goods vital for the general public. To force them to reduce speeds because someone moved nearby is ridiculous.

No. I don't work for CN but I have 30 years railroading.

I own a small farm. A sub-division was built next to mine and now they are petitioning for me to get rid of my horses because they are dangerous. Same thing.

[Boss302fan]

Trains going to fast by a residential area?

Let's see. Which was built first? The railroad or the residential area?

My guess.....in all likilihood the railroad.

Now if I am wrong, my apologies.

But if I am right, your family made a choice when they bought their house. They chose to live near a railroad who has the right to operate as they choose. If you think it is too close and too fast...then move.

[funnyrin0]

Rankin 79................. i live by trains and noting has happend yet and i lived by the trains all my life

[f350turbodiesel]

My friends moms great grandpa started Wisconsin Central

[rainking79]

Well considering your reply is a year late... Guess what, Sherlock -- I DID move. I no longer live 100 feet from that rail line. And I didn't buy that house, I was renting it. I would never BUY a house so close to a dangerous railroad such as one operated by CN! Tell me something.. do you work for CN? You sure seem awfully defensive. Sure, the railroad was built before houses were there, but that's still no excuse for them to run their trains as carelessly as they do now...

[CubsFan2812]

I live near it too!

[CubsFan2812]

I think over by the pool

[TheTallBeverage]

holy hell where was this in Kaukauna? I was like, four when this happened and lived near the Piggly Wiggly.

[JoMamma084034]

why do i not remember this. i was 9 when it happened. i live in kaukauna. where did this happen.

[CubsFan2812]

Thats over by my house! I live in Kaukauna (still)