THE CREW WILD RUN PORTABLE

Attempts to derail the train using a portable derailer failed the portable derailer was thrown clear of the track due to the force of the train when it ran over it. The train rolled out of the yard and began a 65-mile (105В km) journey south through northwest Ohio unmanned. However he was unable to do so and was dragged about 80 feet (24В m), receiving minor cuts and abrasions. The engineer climbed down from the cab, aligned the switch, and then attempted to reboard the accelerating locomotive. Therefore, the only functioning brake was the air brake on the locomotive, and this was not enough to counteract its engine power. If the dynamic brakes had been engaged as intended, this throttle setting would have used the motors against the momentum of the train, causing it to slow down. He then set the throttle for the traction motors at notch 8. However, the engineer 'inadvertently failed to complete the selection process', meaning that the train's engine was set to accelerate, not to brake.

The engineer also attempted to apply the locomotive's dynamic brake to slow the train to a crawl dynamic brakes dissipate momentum (kinetic energy) by using the momentum of the train to drive the traction motors, generating electricity exactly like a regenerative braking system does in a hybrid/electric automobile, which slows the train. Furthermore, applying the locomotive's brakes disabled the train's dead man's switch, which would otherwise have applied the train brakes and cut the engine power.

But, as is normal for intra-yard movements, the air brakes of the train were disconnected from the locomotive and thus were not functional. During mainline operation, he would also have applied the automatic air brake, which would set the brakes in each of the train's cars. Д«efore leaving the cab, the engineer applied the locomotive's independent air brake. He decided to climb down from the train, correctly align the switch, and reboard the locomotive. The engineer noticed a misaligned switch and concluded that his train, although moving slowly, would not be able to stop short of it. The string consisted of 47 freight cars 25 of them were empty, but 22 of them were fully loaded, including two tank cars containing thousands of gallons of molten phenol, a toxic ingredient used in paints, glues, and dyes that is harmful when inhaled, ingested, or coming into contact with the skin. On May 15, 2001, a CSX locomotive engineer was using Locomotive #8888 to move a string of freight cars from track K12 to track D10 for departure on another train at Stanley Yard in Walbridge, Ohio, CSX's primary classification yard for Toledo. EMD SD40-2 controls show how one can mistake power and dynamic brake settings.

The crew wild run