Runaway train

A runaway train is a type of railroad incident in which unattended rolling stock is accidentally allowed to roll onto the main line, a moving train loses enough braking power to be unable to stop in safety, or a train operates at unsafe speeds due to loss of operator control. If the uncontrolled rolling stock derails or hits another train, it will result in a train wreck.

A deadman's control, if the brakes are working, can prevent unattended rolling stock from moving.

A railway air brake can fail if valves on the pipe between each wagon are accidentally closed; the 1953 Pennsylvania Railroad train wreck and the 1988 Gare de Lyon train accident were results of a valve accidentally closed by the crew, reducing braking power.

A parked train or cut off cars may also run away if not properly tied down with a sufficient number of hand brakes.

Incidents

Accidents and incidents involving defective or improperly-set railway brakes include:

See also

• Dark territory
• Positive train control
• Railroad Safety Appliance Act
• Category:Runaway train disasters

References

1. Runaway Train (film)
2. Runaway Train (Soul Asylum song)
3. Runaway train (disambiguation)
4. CSX 8888 incident
5. San Bernardino train disaster
6. Unstoppable (2010 film)
7. 2003 Melbourne runaway train
8. Runaway Train (Elton John and Eric Clapton song)
9. Runaway Mine Train
10. Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway
11. Runaway
12. 1883 Tehachapi train wreck
13. Scorpion Express
14. List of awards and nominations received by Jon Voight
15. Rebecca De Mornay
16. Train
17. Atomic Train
18. Danny Trejo
19. Soul Asylum
20. Welcome 2 My Nightmare