#ecpb

[trains-and-literal-train-wrecks]

Runaway and derailment of loaded ore train M02712 Near the 211 km mark south of Port Hedland, Western Australia, on 5 November 2018

ECP brakes being fun

"At about 0337, M02712 was travelling at 60 km/h on a downhill grade on the west track, approaching the BHP access road level crossing at the 211.6 km mark. Shortly after, trainline communication between the lead locomotive and the combined end of train monitor was lost, triggering an automated 120% ECPB emergency brake command, stopping the train as it approached Garden South.

Following confirmation with train control of the location of the train and receiving instruction on the number of handbrakes required to secure the loaded train on the falling track grade at Garden, the driver left the locomotive cab to commence applying the brakes from the front of the train. The controller also tasked a support team to attend M02712 and help the driver with applying the handbrakes.

About 60 minutes after the loss of trainline communication, as the driver continued to apply handbrakes to the first rake of ore cars, the train began to move forward. Shortly after, train control received an emergency call from the driver of M02712 alerting that the brakes had ‘bled off’ and the train was now a ‘runaway’."

Oops.

Fortunately:

"The derailment destroyed the 2 remote locomotives, 245 ore cars and 2 km of track infrastructure at Turner South. There was no injury to any person from the runaway or derailment."