[PRCo] Re: #1727 Accident

[John Swindler]

>Robert.Dietrich commented:
>
>Wasn't this the accident that started at the "top" of the tunnel - the
>car had no brakes.  The motorman became somewhat of a hero by getting
>all the passenger in the rear of the car and braced for a collision.
>



Guess we don't want to mention the removal of the necessary action safety 
switches at the south end of the tunnel.  Installed by Pittsburgh Railways 
after previous 'rocket sled' experience on 6% tunnel downgrade circa 1917. 
(low floor car on rt. 48 (?))  But PAT will tell you they are advised by 
'experts'. (per quote from PAT official to Ed Tennyson on light rail 
upgrade.)

Lot's of blame to go around with this accident.  We'll start with a poorly 
trained motorman who didn't understand the piece of equipment he was 
operating.  (it would be like ignoring a red oil light, or temp. gauge on 
your car - would you keep operating your car until the engine seizes up - 
and no need to answer that question (:>)).  And then go to PAT maintenance 
practices - or lack thereof.  And then work your way upwards in the 
bureaucracy.  (and PAT is no different then most other organizations)

With an apology, but my job is not to make people feel good (Fred the third 
would understand).

And yes, the miracle was that there were no vehicles in the Carson St. 
intersection at the time, and no one died.  For that, a lot of people should 
be thankful.

John




>-----Original Message-----
>From: pittsburgh-railways-bounce at lists.dementia.org
>[mailto:pittsburgh-railways-bounce at lists.dementia.org] On Behalf Of
>James B. Holland
>Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2004 5:40 AM
>To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
>Subject: [PRCo] Re: #1727 Accident
>
>No, it was:
>
>           '''New wheels, motor leads not secured on truck, motor leads
>drag and short out wiping out dynamics.'''
>
>
>Derrick J Brashear wrote:
>
> >On Mon, 10 May 2004 macmarka at netzero.net wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> >> Anyone remember this? Anything to do with loss of brakes? It is dated
> >>10/28/87. Any injuries occur?
> >>
> >>
> >
> >That was the "new trucks, brakes not set up properly" accident, yes?
> >I started high school in fall 1987, and I only started riding the rail
> >system around then.
> >
> >No fatalities.
> >
>
>
>
>

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