Federal Railroad Administration, Office of Safety Headquarters Assigned Accident Investigation Report HQ-2006-89, MRL, Trout Creek, Montana, November 13, 2006

摘要

On November 13, 2006, at 5:45 a.m. (MST), a westbound Montana Rail Link (MRL) loaded coal train symbol C-BKMSPB1-13A derailed on the MRL System, 4th Subdivision, approximately 3.1 miles west of Trout Creek, Montana, at milepost 57.1. The train was traveling on a single main track at a recorded speed of 47 mph. The maximum authorized timetable track speed in the area of the accident is 60 mph. The train consisted of four locomotives, 115 railcars of coal, with 16,321 trailing tons and was 6,392 feet in length. A total of 28 cars, 3rd through the 30th, derailed. There were no injuries reported and no release of hazardous materials. The estimated damage of the derailment was $2,100,000 ($800,000 track and bridge and $1,300,000 equipment). At the time of the derailment it was dark with rain. The temperature was 33F. The probable cause of the accident was a missing coupler pin retaining plate which resulted in the coupler pin dropping out of position and the coupler to be extracted. This resulted in an unintentional separation of the train. The extracted coupler then struck the draft sill of the following car which knocked it off center and caused the derailment. (E35C).