Mayday -- Runaway Train -- Part 6

Hi all, this is the Mayday episode that you have been waiting a very long time for and I hope that you enjoy it!! This Mayday episode is about the San Bernardino disasters that took place on the 12th and 25th of May 1989.

The first disaster involved a freight train (SP-7551-EAST) that ran away down the Cajon Pass, then derailed at over 110 MPH and crashed into houses on Duffy Street. Almost two weeks later, a pipeline that was running alongside the railway ruptured and exploded after it was damaged during the removal of the destroyed freight train. A total of 6 people were killed, many more were injured and at least $15 million worth of damage was caused in the two disasters.

Read the Wikipedia article which has been revised at www.wikipedia.org, and the Accident Report PDF which is located at the bottom of the article.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• SP 7551 East
• Mayday
• San Bernardino
• Train
• Disasters
• May 1989.

[runawayfreak]

glad the engineer didn't get sued He didn't do anything wrong!

[budgiebreder]

it's so sad that there's not even a monument! at least with that new people comming to the town would find out more easily coz lets face it "a rain once crashed here" doesn't come up in normal conversation! and so they'd know and may not make a mistake which could cost them greatly in another similar crash if there ever was one!

also! those people DIED and had no warning in life. they never got to say "goodbye" it's not fair that there's not even a monument for them.

[fincasandaluciablog]

Boy o boy filling in guested weights on wagons what duffer

[noslack1964]

there were many mistakes made that led to this accident

[mikeshearer1250]

The anniversaries of this rail disaster occur on my birthday

[randommagnum]

I used to know a guy who was one of the railroad's investigators of this crash. I thought he told me they didn't check their brakes before they went down, and I guess I partially remembered that right.

[murakwan29]

It is not surprising that this disaster had happened if it was carrying a weight equivilent of that of 6 jumbo jets

[jmm2000]

At the Tehachapi Loop in CA, there's a white cross at the top of the hill that pays the respect and honor of the train crew and those who were in the neighborhood that lost their lives. Also, another memorial site by a AT&SF (BNSF) employee who placed crosses where a train derailed at Cajon Summit. Two train crew members were killed; one was injured.

[mattstorm360]

To tell you if i had the money i would build a garden and put a stone peace there marking the day when disaster happend both the train crash and the gas exsplosion.

[sweetpea027]

Thanks for sharing Bill, This is great! They have a video; for all that remember. Now in 2011 , we all can see what you went through. Sorry you were part of a sickening clean-up job.God was in a plan to give you an enlighten of what life is all about . Short & helping other. We are here to be an encourager to one another. God wants us to show how much he cares. God does not make this happen but He does allow it to happen .This war is between Satan & God not us. Praises to God you are here.

[gobo760]

What do they mean no monument exists to mark the accident? They erected a silver overturned shopping cart to symbolize the chaotic swath of twisted metal that trapped survivors below. I doubt that monument was just put there by some bum.

[ackmino]

@derail14 Yep, you are correct. Every train needs at least 12 locos with dynamics to operate lol