JHF Posted December 8, 2012 Share #1 Posted December 8, 2012 I'm curious if anyone knows of any cases of runaways in the NYC subway system. What sorts of systems are in place to prevent this if the operator should fail to stop it? I'm new to this and am writing an article on modern prevention of runaways and their history -- any help is appreciated! Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itmaybeokay Posted December 10, 2012 Share #2 Posted December 10, 2012 All the signals have a 'stop arm' that comes up next to the track when the signal is red. If a train were to run a red signal, the stop arm physically engages a switch on the bottom of every subway car. The switch, once engaged, "trips" the subway train putting it into emergency braking. As a result of this, while there have been rare derailments and collisions, I don't believe there has been a true runaway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanTheTransitMan Posted December 11, 2012 Share #3 Posted December 11, 2012 There is also a switch in the tunnels that manually cuts the power to the third rail between stations. If this ever did happen a group of TA employees could walk into the tunnel, open the box where the switch is located, and cut the power before the run-away train hits that segment of track. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamaica Line Posted December 11, 2012 Share #4 Posted December 11, 2012 Runaways are nothing to worry about in our subway system... Now imagine you're the engineer of a 7,500 ft long coal train weighing more than 12,000 tons. You're cresting a long 1.5% grade. Because of your unprofessional use of the air brakes you've used up all your air and is left with nothing... Unlike subway trains there isn't no quick re-charging of the brake pipe. Forget about thinking of using your dynamic or independent brakes, they sure as hell won't stop your train... Now you're screwed with 12,000 tons of heavy coal traveling at 50 mph plus, right in back of you... Hey just be glad your load didn't consist of propane... Yep, and "train drivers" have the easiest job in the world... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RTOMan Posted December 11, 2012 Share #5 Posted December 11, 2012 I'm curious if anyone knows of any cases of runaways in the NYC subway system. What sorts of systems are in place to prevent this if the operator should fail to stop it? I'm new to this and am writing an article on modern prevention of runaways and their history -- any help is appreciated! Thanks! First answer is No.... Second answer the system that is in place is called the C/R pulling the cord..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QM1to6Ave Posted December 11, 2012 Share #6 Posted December 11, 2012 Someone's been watching Pelham 123 too much, hehe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minato ku Posted December 11, 2012 Share #7 Posted December 11, 2012 With the dead man's switch and signalisations, a runaway train is very unlikely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgood6195 Posted December 11, 2012 Share #8 Posted December 11, 2012 Someone's been watching Pelham 123 too much, hehe Or Money Train. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QM1to6Ave Posted December 11, 2012 Share #9 Posted December 11, 2012 Or Money Train. You know, I've tried to buy that movie a bunch of times and no store ever seems to carry it. I would love to finally see it myself one day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgood6195 Posted December 11, 2012 Share #10 Posted December 11, 2012 I think it's on youtube. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dj Hammers Posted December 12, 2012 Share #11 Posted December 12, 2012 The only way you can have a runaway would be if the air brakes were not working (Missing brake shoes or something ), AND the handbrakes would have to not be working as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peacemak3r Posted December 12, 2012 Share #12 Posted December 12, 2012 You know, I've tried to buy that movie a bunch of times and no store ever seems to carry it. I would love to finally see it myself one day. Netflix and Amazon Instant video should have it right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ MC Posted December 12, 2012 Share #13 Posted December 12, 2012 The closest thing to a "runaway train" to take place in the subway is probably the Malbone Street wreck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHF Posted December 12, 2012 Author Share #14 Posted December 12, 2012 Interesting -- thanks this is all good info. What are the toughest areas of the transit system to navigate with respect to control of the train? Are there specific sections of track that're notoriously tough? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Concourse Posted December 12, 2012 Share #15 Posted December 12, 2012 You know, I've tried to buy that movie a bunch of times and no store ever seems to carry it. I would love to finally see it myself one day. It's aired on TBS a few times. Honestly, the part at the end with the train crashing [i think rolling on its side and smashing into several columns] was the main highlight. I hated the movie overall especially Woody Harrelson's character. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kamen Rider Posted December 12, 2012 Share #16 Posted December 12, 2012 Interesting -- thanks this is all good info. What are the toughest areas of the transit system to navigate with respect to control of the train? Are there specific sections of track that're notoriously tough? not in the same way you have tough sections of mainline track. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QM1to6Ave Posted December 13, 2012 Share #17 Posted December 13, 2012 It's aired on TBS a few times. Honestly, the part at the end with the train crashing [i think rolling on its side and smashing into several columns] was the main highlight. I hated the movie overall especially Woody Harrelson's character. Oh man, you ruined the movie for me! (Just kidding) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgood6195 Posted December 13, 2012 Share #18 Posted December 13, 2012 The closest thing to a "runaway train" to take place in the subway is probably the Malbone Street wreck. Was that the 2007 R42 accident? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Threxx Posted December 13, 2012 Share #19 Posted December 13, 2012 Was that the 2007 R42 accident? No... 1916 crash @ Prospect Park that killed over 100 people... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RTOMan Posted December 13, 2012 Share #20 Posted December 13, 2012 Was that the 2007 R42 accident? The Op meant trains where they are passengers on them not relays or lay ups.. You can say the Willy B incident now for that matter... Or use the Robert Ray Incident....... Neither train got "far" though... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fresh Pond Posted December 13, 2012 Share #21 Posted December 13, 2012 The only way you can have a runaway would be if the air brakes were not working (Missing brake shoes or something ), AND the handbrakes would have to not be working as well. Because of that movie I have 2 questions pf my own.. 1. is it possible to "bleed the brakes" of a moving train? 2. that whole scene where they threw the train in reverse and it just started cartwheeling down the track. Can you actually throw it in reverse as an emergency way of stopping a train? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ MC Posted December 13, 2012 Share #22 Posted December 13, 2012 Was that the 2007 R42 accident? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malbone_Street_Wreck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kamen Rider Posted December 13, 2012 Share #23 Posted December 13, 2012 1. is it possible to "bleed the brakes" of a moving train? yes, and you'd come to a dead stop. 2. that whole scene where they threw the train in reverse and it just started cartwheeling down the track. Can you actually throw it in reverse as an emergency way of stopping a train? I think the "traction motors have a heart attack" line sound about right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Concourse Posted December 13, 2012 Share #24 Posted December 13, 2012 Oh man, you ruined the movie for me! (Just kidding) Lol, anytime On the bright side, I probably saved you a few bucks if you wanted to rent the movie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kamen Rider Posted December 14, 2012 Share #25 Posted December 14, 2012 If you turn the railfan part of your brain off, it's halfway deicent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.