With the air activated, air operated brakes, used on freight trains there is a fair time delay between the brakes being applied to the first vehicle in the train and the the last vehicle in the train. Depending on the exact type of brakes used (there are two major type, each with a couple of sub-types) and the train length this delay can be from a second or two up to about 30 seconds or more before the brakes start to come on at the rear of the train, and then it takes time for the braking to build-up to its maximum. So, if the leading loco derails, but dos not break the brake air circuit it might be a few seconds between its derailment and the brake lines being broken (which cause an automatic full brake application) during which time the train will bunch up, and be more prone to the concertenering we see so often. Add to that, if one of the wagons really comes of the rails and decelerates abruptly (or stops "instantly") the crumpled mess is inevitable, even on good straight and level track.

The Senate is aiming for a late April markup of the Railway Safety Act of 2023, which would further regulate railroads after the East Palestine, Ohio, disaster.

The Feb. 3 38-car train derailment led to a chemical spill in that Ohio town of about 4,700 people, a few miles west of the Pennsylvania state line. The episode became a controlled burn, with a temporary evacuation of most locals, and triggered disputes over possible soil and air contamination.

For now, the railroads are not publicly fighting the legislation.

“[The Association of American Railroads] has not opposed the bill but has noted there are elements that could use closer evaluation,” Ted Greener, spokesman for the AAR, which represents railroads before Congress, told the Washington Examiner.

Whether that amounts to the railroads keeping their powder dry, however, remains to be seen. That likely will have a lot to do with the final shape that the bill takes.....

I'll believe this when I see it actually happen.

Long train regulations coming?

The Senate is aiming for a late April markup of the Railway Safety Act of 2023, which would further regulate railroads after the East Palestine, Ohio, disaster.

The Feb. 3 38-car train derailment led to a chemical spill in that Ohio town of about 4,700 people, a few miles west of the Pennsylvania state line. The episode became a controlled burn, with a temporary evacuation of most locals, and triggered disputes over possible soil and air contamination.

For now, the railroads are not publicly fighting the legislation.

“[The Association of American Railroads] has not opposed the bill but has noted there are elements that could use closer evaluation,” Ted Greener, spokesman for the AAR, which represents railroads before Congress, told the Washington Examiner.

Whether that amounts to the railroads keeping their powder dry, however, remains to be seen. That likely will have a lot to do with the final shape that the bill takes.....

But something certainly needs to be done

Cheers.

Early reports say that the cars were empty and staid upright this time.

A hobbyist built a replica of the GWR King Class steam train - and it could sell for up to £20,000.
Vic Whittaker, 79, spent two years and 2,000 hours building an exact replica of the Great Western Railway 6000 Class locomotive.
The 150kg train, which is made out of brass, iron and copper, is kept in his workshop.


Once a week, the train is available for visitors to ride at Worden Park in Leyland, Lancashire.

Duration of Full 4400 HP output 30-40 minutes
Charging • Wayside charging station, Stockton, CA