Catasteophic train derailment/explosion at Lac-Megantic in Quebec

[hockeyfan1]

As many of you may know, a catastrophic explosion occurred when train rail tankers carrying oil collided/derailed in Lac-Megantic, a picturesque seaside town of 6,000 people in the province of Quebec.

The explosion was so profound that it decimated many buildings and homes, practically "incinerating" the town.

There were quite a few deaths as well as injuries, the shock, loss and sorrow that the town's residents have had to endure.

This reminds me of the propane gas explosion in Toronto a few years ago, when poor safety and a lack of responsible standards were held against Sunrise, the company in charge of these stationary gas tanks. 

Anyone remember?  My family and I, we live quite a distance from where the explosion took place that night, but, we saw a huge bright ball of flame and our home 'shook'.  That was scary enough.

imagine the terror at Lac-Megantic.  Tragic that it even happened in the first place.  Safety issues have come into focus here.


For the latest on Lac-Megantic, go to:
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/dailybrew/lac-megantic-residents-angry-over-loss-life-industry-185226094.html

 

[TML fan]

From everything I have read, it's starting to look like this was intentional. There's just no way that train should move if the engineer did his job properly.

 

[Britishbulldog]

A close friend of mine's parents live in that community just up the street from the derailment. They are both alive but the community is devastated. 

 

[hockeyfan1]

An inferno it was...

 

[hockeyfan1]

Company at centre of controversy still investigating, and...

Maine & Atlantic Railway, despite releasing a statement on Sunday saying they had not been able to complete its own investigation, has it pretty much sussed out.

Burkhardt told the Gazette that the company had followed standard operating rules when it came to securing the train. He added he didn't think the train was tampered with maliciously, but something happened that compromised its braking system.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/dailybrew/company-centre-lac-megantic-disaster-says-train-tampered-145611890.html

 

[OldTimeHockey]

From everything I have read, it's starting to look like this was intentional. There's just no way that train should move if the engineer did his job properly.

I don't think it was intentional but I do believe that some shortcuts may of been taken.

 

[Rick C.]

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: CNN Breaking News <BreakingNews@mail.cnn.com>
To: textbreakingnews@ema3lsv06.turner.com
Sent: Wednesday, July 10, 2013 2:02:04 PM
Subject: CNN Breaking News

Engineer of runaway train that devastated Quebec town apparently had not set enough handbrakes, CEO of railway says.

 

[TML fan]

From everything I have read, it's starting to look like this was intentional. There's just no way that train should move if the engineer did his job properly.

I don't think it was intentional but I do believe that some shortcuts may of been taken.

Well, if we are to take the engineer at his word, then it would have to have been intentional, or at least the result of mischief. It seems more likely that the engineer didn't do his job properly.

What I imagine happened, is that the engineer set the minimum number of handbrakes required, which may not have been sufficient to hold the train. He probably expected the air brakes to hold the train, and that the handbrakes were more of a precaution. Because of the fire in the locomotive during the night, the engine was shut down, which also shut down the compressor and eventually the air brakes bled off and the train rolled away.

 

[TML fan]

It's interesting to see that they are saying the engineer followed "company policy" which may be completely different from operating rules in Canada, seeing that this is a U.S based company. I wonder if that will factor into the findings as well?