A 'Pucker Moment' caught on video

They didn't learn anything from that first incident.  They didn't stretch the joint after coupling either time -- they just coupled up and then went in between to connect the brake pipe hose.

Huh?

Why would you not expect it to happen "...over there..."? Japan has its fair share of stupid people, and the two principals in this video are prime examples. The two brakemen in the light blue shirts are two of the most incompetent railway workers I have ever seen.

1. When moving in to couple to the train, the guy on the far side sticks his hand in to move the coupler, just as the coupling is taking place! That's a big-time safety rule violation and a good way to lose a hand.
2. After they make the joint, they did not stretch it. In other words, they did not have the locomotive pull on the coupling to be SURE the pins had dropped. And after what happened next, obviously at least one pin did NOT drop.
3. When the train starts rolling away, they try to stop it by dragging their feet while holding on to the coupler! I almost fell out my chair laughing when I saw that. They had absolutely ZERO chance of stopping that train.
4. When they coupled into the train the second time, once again they did not stretch the joint to make sure the pins had dropped! They just went in between to get the air! As Number 90 said, they didn't learn ANYTHING from the first incident.
5. There were probably a dozen other safety rule violations, but I couldn't bear to count them. I'll leave that for Wyhog, Big Jim and Number 90 to sort out.

If these two bozos had pulled a stunt like this when working for me at the Ohio Central, I would have fired them both.

As we say "They don't make 'em like they used to!"

Doesn't any body remember rule #1 when making a coupling? Check to see if the pins are down.

The popular image of Japan among most of us in the West isn't one that tends to remember that they have their share of idiots. Not at all like the image we have of, say Russian drivers thanks to all those dash-cam videos

I knew you would. 

First of all the consist tied down prior to coupling ?

Second, was the brakes released after they coupled up before they got the air cu-in ?

Then after all of this known, they would have needed to make a brake test before moving the train .

My my...what can you say about that?.....Lucky to still have fingers as Rich pointed out.  Wow...not smart at all.

Chris

I've often heard a term in railroading that describes that whole bizarre looking scenario to a tee: "Cluster ****"

Unbelievable how cumbersome the flag signal mess is, or how many people were intruding into the "Redzone", etc, etc, etc.  The whole operation portends disaster to me.

I was surprised that that would happen in Japan where professional railroading is of the highest order. Here in New York's Metro-North Railroad two mistakes recently happened and with many veterans employees reaching their 30th anniversary of employment and or their 60th birthday don't be surprised if incidents that what is shown here happen. The new hires need experienced railroaders to properly train them and this is not happening plus many new management people have little or no railroad experience. Will this be a recipe for more incidences of mistakes, time will tell.

Well, I think they did a superb job of keeping that train from becoming a runaway.  I think Superman would be proud of the way they held it back.  Actually, if those guys were around during the filming of that train movie with Denzel Washington (can't remember the name...senior moment happening right now) there would have been no movie.  I mean just look at the effort Fred Flinstone has to put into it just to stop his car with his feet.   C'mon give these guys some credit!!!    LOL

Rick