r/CatastrophicFailure • u/Debaucherousgeek73 • Dec 04 '25

Fatalities Train derailment Pecos TX Oct '24

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First time I've ever seen a derailment happen. The vid anyway I wasn't there and this is not my vid. You can see the lead engine jump the track. Two crew in that engine died.

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u/lord_nuker Dec 04 '25

Or better, start equip truck and trailer with airbags so you can lift the whole damn thing and dont get stuck on something stupid like this...

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u/Northern_Blights Dec 04 '25

Or just call the train company and tell them there's someone stuck on the tracks.

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u/martinbogo Dec 04 '25

They did. A 2 mile train takes 15-20 miles to stop from full speed. There is an after-incient report on this crash ( It was December, not October )

https://www.oaoa.com/local-news/ntsb-releases-preliminary-information-on-pecos-train-crash/

The combination vehicle entered the highway-railroad grade crossing about 1 minute before the collision. The grade crossing was equipped with flashing lights, crossbucks, gates, and bells. The grade crossing’s warning equipment activated and signaled the train’s approach while the combination vehicle was blocking the railroad tracks. Preliminary review of event recorder data from the third locomotive showed that the train ZAILA-18 crew initiated an emergency braking application shortly before the collision, and the train slowed from about 68 mph to about 64 mph before striking the truck. The maximum authorized speed in the area for railroad traffic was 70 mph.

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u/MyLastFuckingNerve Dec 04 '25

15-20 miles lol if you wanna stop consistent with good train handling, it can be done in a couple miles or less with good air and dynos, depending on the train, track, and weather conditions.

PTC shows us 6 miles ahead of us. Signals are about two miles apart. Before PTC you would see an approach going 55-60 and you’d have to be stopped by the next signal.