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Re: Metrolink derailment in Oxnard.
Author: Dr Zarkoff
Date: 02-24-2015 - 10:09
>I think the issue here won't be whether the new cars' crash energy management worked but why the cab car did not stay on the track and if an engine was leading if it would have.
This is precisely the point the BLE has been trying to make over the last 15 years. "Crash management" is of little utility when the wheels leave the rails because the suspension system can no longer create the artificially low, virtual center of gravity necessary for general ride stability under normal conditions.
>The absurd comment by the expert, which was actually mentioned by her first, was P-T-C!!!! IIRC she said that Metrolink had already installed PTC (is it up and functioning?) and that it should have prevented this accident by slowing the train down if the tracks were blocked. I wasn't aware that PTC was supposed to be integrated into the grade crossing systems, though I could see that it might be wise in whistle free zones.
For years I've been saying that to eliminate train accidents once and for all: STOP RUNNING THE TRAINS.
This is precisely the point the BLE has been trying to make over the last 15 years. "Crash management" is of little utility when the wheels leave the rails because the suspension system can no longer create the artificially low, virtual center of gravity necessary for general ride stability under normal conditions.
>The absurd comment by the expert, which was actually mentioned by her first, was P-T-C!!!! IIRC she said that Metrolink had already installed PTC (is it up and functioning?) and that it should have prevented this accident by slowing the train down if the tracks were blocked. I wasn't aware that PTC was supposed to be integrated into the grade crossing systems, though I could see that it might be wise in whistle free zones.
For years I've been saying that to eliminate train accidents once and for all: STOP RUNNING THE TRAINS.
