i dunno maybe Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Gandy Dancer Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Chris Walker Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > How about another Run-by.... :)
> > >
> > > Whoa, Whoa, Whoa.
> > >
> > > Chris
> > > in New Zealand
> >
> > That'll do, we're on the ground...
> >
> > Did it "pick" the switch points?
>
> Sure looked (and sounded) like it. Also looked
> like it was running a little faster than 10 mph.
>
> Have been on a light rail train that picked a
> switch, at restricted speed. Was sort of like,
> "hey, why are we taking the diverging here?"
> followed by the center truck lifting then dropping
> on the ground as the rear truck continued
> straight. Quick stop, and "oh well, will be late
> for work today, we're on the ground." Took an hour
> for a couple of buses to arrive. They put those of
> us going downtown on one bus and others on the
> other 2 (a 3rd bus arrived shortly after the 1st
> 2). Climbing off the train was a large step onto
> the ballast, but everybody made it out OK. Our
> (downtown) bus driver got loaded up and took off,
> then started to line up for the next left toward
> the freeway, at a light interconnected with the
> grade crossing to the right that would never clear
> for the left turn; I directed him to the next
> interchange where things would work, and by the
> time we got on the freeway and jammed out to the
> HOV lane the radio call came saying we were
> supposed to just go to the next station instead of
> downtown; driver called back saying no, we were in
> the HOV lane and it was too late to get off at the
> next ramp. They said OK ... result was I was only
> about 1/2 hour late having gotten an express ride
> rather than the usual (26 stops in 23 miles)!
>
> Hope the museum people were able to get it
> rerailed and fixed quickly. The LRT people were
> down until the next day; took all day to get the
> car rerailed and moved away, then another day
> inspect and fix the track. Bustitution sucks.

Not that bad, plenty of right sized chunks of wood, some careful work with the jam and a little power, and they'll walk that baby right back up on the rails.

Looked like the rear truck. Look for "sloppy" lose/broken switch point bolts, or a sharp flange on the choo-choo (maybe on that rear truck?), as common causes. Speed on a curve with a switch will sometimes cause the flanges to press hard against the outside rail (good old L over V) and force open/"pick" the switch point, too. LRT picked switches are very often excessive flange wear/sharp flange related.