11/6/22

 It's Steamy Sunday here on the Blog!  Today's image goes back to my visit to Strasburg and the railroad there.  They were in the news this week with a very unfortunate incident that makes me cringe every time I see it.  Somehow, several people were not paying attention.  Here is a link to a very short video on YouTube. (Updated Link, apparently the other was taken down for Copyright) It's unfortunate and glad no one was hurt.  This is locomotive 475 from the Norfolk & Western Railroad that is the main locomotive that has been in use at Strasburg for the past several years.  I am sure it will be repaired and people will have some training.  Missing that the switch was not set was by several key people, the Conductor, the Fireman and the Engineer.  All 3 of these people are supposed to be watching for anything.  I know as a fireperson on the trains I work on I have to stay attentive and call out to the engineer about crossings because they cannot see my side very well.  From what I have read, this switch is not normally ever thrown and it was probably the fault of the maintenance of Way people but they still should have been alert.  I took this image at Paradise where this incident occurred as I watched the very procedure take place when this happened.  The locomotive moves from one end of the train to the other to go back to Strasburg so they are always on the end of where they are heading.  Fortunately, from what I have seen the damage was actually fairly minimal and the smokebox door is being welded back together.  They expect it to be back up and running for Christmas trains by the 19th as long as the FRA allows it.