New Haven Joe posted:The preliminary report also said: "Sixteen cars of a CP train derailed on Jan. 3 in the same area. No one was hurt in that derailment."
I took the Rocky Mountaineer through this area about six years ago. The Mountaineer passed about 10 wrecked freight cars alongside the track near the upper tunnel. It is obvious that this is a dangerous grade that requires special attention and train handling from crews to prevent accidents. It will be interesting to learn what CP's procedures/rules are for trains in this area and if they are being followed.
Of course, the other explanation may be that there was a catastrophic equipment failure that no crew could have overcome.
That is why there are specific rules requiring the application of sufficient, or ALL, hand brakes, prior to trying to recover the air when stopped on a grade.
It appears that the UP locomotive was leading. Do UP and CP locomotives have the exact same controls in the same location?
Pretty much, yes.
Could a difference in control and or control location affect train handling?
No.
I know that whenever I rent a car I need to locate the headlight and windshield wiper switches before I leave the parking lot. I had a scary experience in a rental car many years ago when I got into a sudden rain shower and I couldn't find the wiper switch for several seconds. I was driving blind for what seemed life forever.
Comparing RR locomotive cab controls is like comparing apples & oranges.
NH Joe
