Maybe some sort of gadget or device could have prevented or reduced the severity of the incident but how many unmanned, run away train derailments have you heard of? Every possible thing that could possibly happen can not be prevented, especially if someone set this in motion intentionally.

I can't believe Burkhardt would have said what was claimed in the article. If the train was PROPERLY tied down it would not be relying on the air brakes AT ALL to hold it on the grade. The only reason a locomotive would be left running to maintain the air in the brake line is to get away from having to do a full brake test of the entire train when it was ready to be underway again. As usual, the media thinks they have an answer and someone to blame when in reality they only have very limited insight into the situation.

And what a silly uproar about the safety of transporting crude oil by rail. With the plane crash in SF should we now not fly at all because it could be unsafe? After a truck crash do we question if anything should be transported by truck? Should we not drive as we could get in a wreck and be injured or killed?

If this wasn't an intentional act of terror/vandalism it was certainly one of the worst demonstrations of incompetence a railroad has ever demonstrated. I, for one, doubt the RR was at fault. The investigation should reveal the truth. The media should shut up about it until professional investigators can determine the real cause.

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