Nobody was hurt...no fuel spilled....cranes are on the way.

This is quite incredible! It should be interesting to hear what was the cause of this derailment. This engine was being towed backwards behind the train??? I guess my point is, I don't know how any person (crew or passenger) goes through a roll over "event" and walks away having not been hurt in the process. Definitely not good for the equipment either. Anyway, glad to hear that no one was hurt.

More media coverage, including short video (not very useful, if you ask me) at

http://www.wbir.com/ur/zago-form.aspx?D ... atid%253D2

Confirms reports that this was the back of a trailing movement, not moving derailed loco first. Looks like it had just gone through a trailing switch whose trackwork will be examined very closely, I'm wagering.....

They do not have a run-around at the destination so it is SOP to have a locomotive on each end. No crew was in the trailing loco cab and nobody was in the caboose. So nobody was hurt at all.

These guys are extremely professional and have a reputation for doing everything "by the book". They never cut corners with maintainence or with safety procedures. I am sure they are as shocked as anybody.

Let's hope they can pick themselves back up and keep going. That operation has been a blessing for the area economy, offering a great train ride in an otherwise bleek location.

T7

We owned this unit at West Chester Railroad for a brief time a few years ago when she was number 315. I showed this to some of the crew that had worked on it when it was here and they were heartbroken. The guys run a class act down there and hopefully they get her back to how she was without too much issue. Looks like it picked the switch as a trailing unit on the hind end and just rolled down the small embankment at a bad angle.

Update from an e-mail list:

"Thanks for the thoughts from everyone. The horn meet will go on this fall as scheduled. We've got other power to use but even if we didn't I'd look into renting a GP unit from NS for the weekend so the show will go on. I can't say if the 1315 will be ready in time for the meet, but we certainly will do what we can. We have been offered some sheet metal and other parts for 1315's repair from another Alco user who has a C424 being cut up for scrap - that will help tremendously.

Several people have asked about contributing to the cause. Anyone wanting to make a donation for the repair of 1315 can send it to:

SARM
P.O. Box 6756
Oak Ridge, TN 37831

All donations are tax deductible. And thanks VERY much to those who have offered to help with their donations!"