At work now. Can't get pages to load - try searching for Utica Observer-Dispatch, which has some photos.
David
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Here's a link and a good picture from the website:
http://www.uticaod.com/article...826/-1/breaking_ajax
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Thanks, Keith and Matt. OGR loads OK, but that site, not so much. Same thing happens with Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society.
David
Oh what tragedy! I hope the damage to Utica & Mohawk Chapter NRHS original NYC 0-6-0 isn't too serious! That part of the building is new construction, so I'm not worried about that.
Looks like the train tender struck the cab of the engine and bent some metal.
That was a Hudson before it got squooshed! 
A good friend from Utica says he stopped over at the station. He was told that from where the car broke free to the spot where the engine is located the elevation drops 14 feet. I have been there a number of times a never realized the elevation change. Looks fairly flat standing on the station platform.
He said there is also concern the elevated walkway over the tracks may have suffered some damaged too.
Here is an updated report.
http://www.uticaod.com/article...826/-1/breaking_ajax
Pete
I am amazed that they didn't have a derail device on the track to prevent such an event. Poor safety, lucky no one was hurt or killed.
Originally Posted by jim pastorius:
I am amazed that they didn't have a derail device on the track to prevent such an event. Poor safety, lucky no one was hurt or killed.
Absolutely...
Glad no one was seriously hurt. Poor steam loco! Even in retirement it gets no peace 
Originally Posted by jim pastorius:
I am amazed that they didn't have a derail device on the track to prevent such an event. Poor safety, lucky no one was hurt or killed.
From some of the other forums it sounds like there was a buffer set in fronot of the locomotive. There was also a derailer up at where the car started rolling on its journey. Looking at the photo of where the car was it looks flat, but then again so did the area where a boxcar got away from a switch crew 15 years ago.
No charges being filed the teenager who released the hopper car brake.
Well, I took Amtrak to Buffalo on Thursday - chatted with crew member (conductor, I think), who mentioned the incident and that the tender had been returned in the last few weeks. Snapped some pix on the way by. Loco still needs work.
David
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CTA posted:No charges being filed the teenager who released the hopper car brake.
No charges? With that much damage and perhaps a person hurt. What is wrong with those in power?
This New York Central engine had an interesting history, and there aren't very many NYC engines left. The 6721 was built for the NYC&HR in 1913-1914 as #621. It then became NYC #621 from 1914-1936. Then became #6721 1936-1953. It was then sold to Central Illinois Public Service and numbered #7 from 1953-1965. In 1965 it was donated to the Mid-Continent Ry. Museum in North Freedom, WI. and arrived here in November of 1965. It was later sold to Carillon Park in Dayton Ohio in 1980. When it left Dayton I am not sure, but I am sure someone out there will finish the history of 6721's journey back to New York.
Dominic Mazoch posted:CTA posted:No charges being filed the teenager who released the hopper car brake.
No charges? With that much damage and perhaps a person hurt. What is wrong with those in power?
C'mon. You really think he knew he was releasing the brake? He's 13 years old, and probably thought it was the car's steering wheel.
smd4 posted:Dominic Mazoch posted:CTA posted:No charges being filed the teenager who released the hopper car brake.
No charges? With that much damage and perhaps a person hurt. What is wrong with those in power?
C'mon. You really think he knew he was releasing the brake? He's 13 years old, and probably thought it was the car's steering wheel.
A person that age should understand and respect private property.
I think “don’t turn the controls on railroad cars” is the key point here. That said, unless I’m missing something about US railroading generally, surely there’s a duty of care on the owners of the car? Is THAT why charges aren’t being brought?
The point about the change in elevation is an interesting one. Railroads tend to favour smooth transitions and constant gradients. It’s a curious thing about human vision, that it can’t judge gradients except by contrast. There is a well-known error of perception by which a constant, shallow gradient is taken to represent a horizontal reference.
CTA posted:No charges being filed the teenager who released the hopper car brake.
He doesn't need charges filed against him, he probably needed a good hide tannin!
Too late now, I'm sure.
RULE292: BEST version of "Life is like a Mountain Railway" is by Patsy Cline with the Jordanaires as backup vocals.
What "Rule 292" stated....when i was even 8 years old, I kmew better than to monkey around with machinery, instead you respect it. After the teenagers gets his hide tannin, i say make him work and help maintain those trains. Might learn some respect and gain some skills...
Getting off Scott-free should NOT be an option. Probation and community service would be a good place to start. Parent(s) should be forced to make financial restitution even if only a fraction of the cost. If they claim indigence, then community service for them too. I find it hard to believe there was no intent here.
