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Re: 1969 Cuesta grade derailment-Yes U-33 problem....
Author: BOB2
Date: 02-02-2017 - 07:32
Yes, they found the cause. It was a faulty design in the dynmanci braking controller that allowed one to mistakenly think you were in dynamic braking, when, in fact, you were in full power, especially in the dark. They though they were in full dynamic braking, and were in fact in run 8. This design flaw, which SP nor GE ever quite admitted in the classes, was rectified by changing the controller on future U-33's. It was a mkistake easily made in the dark, on these new units, and the GE units, with that controller, were banned from head end service shortly after.
If I recall correctly, from what I remember from those post accident training sessions, it took only something like 66 seconds, before they had accelerated down that grade, and left the rails.
We were also stronly cautioed about allowing other unauthorized employee's to ride along....
If I recall correctly, from what I remember from those post accident training sessions, it took only something like 66 seconds, before they had accelerated down that grade, and left the rails.
We were also stronly cautioed about allowing other unauthorized employee's to ride along....
