Here are some photos of a couple of wrecks on my old layout:
The first picture is a case of stupidity in the engineering of the layout combined with operator error. There is a fairly steep grade coming out of the tunnel that leads right into a curve. I apparently stopped the train suddenly and the cars on the grade didn't get the message. Lesson learned... No, wait, there's more!
The next two photos show the aftermath of operator inattention combined with the aforementioned poor engineering. I was running a train with a NH F3 A-B-A on the point. The coupler on the first car behind the consist let go and the locomotives took off unrestrained. Now, the layout is a single track, thrice-around that passes over itself twice. When the locomotives went "Unstoppable" on me, I was out of the room doing Lord knows what. The locomotives had to traverse the room twice before descending the grade leading to the sharp curve. With no load, they were moving at a pretty good clip when they rounded the curve and slammed into the caboose. The caboose and first two locomotives immediately flipped on their sides while the rest of the train was driven several feet down the track. The third diesel, a dummy unit, remained on the track and proceeded to plow into the remainder of the train, derailing a gondola. Luckily, there was no damage to any equipment. I did learn a few lessons, however. My current layout has no grades and I am always present when the trains are in motion.
Tom
