The Good news: It was a normal day in Sharon Springs, KS, when a Union Pacific crew boarded a loaded coal train for the long trek to Salina.
The Bad news: Just a few miles into the trip a wheel bearing became overheated and melted, letting a metal support drop down and grind on the rail, creating white hot molten metal droppings spewing down to the rail.
The Good news: A very alert crew noticed smoke about halfway back in the train and immediately stopped the train in compliance with the rules.
The Bad news: The train stopped with the hot wheel over a wooden bridge with creosote ties and trusses.
The crew tried to explain to higher-ups but were instructed not to move the train!
They were instructed The Rules prohibit moving the train when a part is defective!
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...2u2004/x-2.jpg
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...u2004/xx-2.jpg
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...2004/xxx-1.jpg
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...004/xxxx-1.jpg
RULES IS RULES!
(Don't let common sense get in the way of a good disaster)
