Dangerous Active Rail Line in Upper Michigan?

[Michael]

http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-779811 CNN iReport

[Raildudes dad]

The person should go video the MAW, then they can watch the CARS fall off the line

[AARR]

Dude tresspassed. Somebody arrest his a$$

[CAT345C]

Hah! "I question how often railroad tracks are inspected across the country..." what an idiot, the lines in the UP are no where near the volume or hazard of what goes through on CSX, NS, BNSF or UP. That track is most likely "excepted" track FRA 213.4 Page 6 http://www.fra.dot.gov/downloads/safety/tss_compliance_manual_chapter_5_final_040107.pdf

The basic requirement of Excepted track are 1, no more than 5 hazmat cars coupled together in a train, you have to have class 1 track 100 feet both sides crossings and bridges. And your gauge cannot be no more than 4'10 1/4". Its only a matter of time though if that is used heavily that they snap a rail then they have an "Infinite" gauge issue...
What you are seeing in his video are a lot of cross level issues which is corrected by tamping, and prolly a few ties in this case.

[SD80MAC]

Check out this reply I got from him when I mentioned he was tresspassing....

"Documenting dangerous situations such as this, I don't really care IF it is trespassing. With that said- There is NO signs saying that.. Its too bad they let this track get this bad, when an accident happens someone WILL be held accountable. "

Someone, please feel free to jump in and call him out on his idiocy. I already typed a up a reply.

[Michael]

Check out this reply I got from him when I mentioned he was tresspassing....

"Documenting dangerous situations such as this, I don't really care IF it is trespassing. With that said- There is NO signs saying that.. Its too bad they let this track get this bad, when an accident happens someone WILL be held accountable. "

Apparently the ends justifies the means

The guys own house doesn't have a NO TRESPASSING sign on it but it is implied that you cannot trespass on private property.
Apparently CNN's paid journalists aren't bad enough, now they have amateur volunteer journalists

[CAT345C]

Check out this reply I got from him when I mentioned he was tresspassing....

"Documenting dangerous situations such as this, I don't really care IF it is trespassing. With that said- There is NO signs saying that.. Its too bad they let this track get this bad, when an accident happens someone WILL be held accountable. "

Someone, please feel free to jump in and call him out on his idiocy. I already typed a up a reply.

Done I needed that rant I left it was very relieving.

[SD80MAC]

Check out this reply I got from him when I mentioned he was tresspassing....

"Documenting dangerous situations such as this, I don't really care IF it is trespassing. With that said- There is NO signs saying that.. Its too bad they let this track get this bad, when an accident happens someone WILL be held accountable. "

Someone, please feel free to jump in and call him out on his idiocy. I already typed a up a reply.

Done I needed that rant I left it was very relieving.

[MQT3001]

And as for the gaps in the rails: Trains clear those size gaps every time they hit a switch or diamond.

Maybe he should watch that video of experiments to derail trains
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-8gV4DJZUw

[MDH]

Apparently CNN's paid journalists aren't bad enough, now they have amateur volunteer journalists

And the mainstream media wonders why people don't respect their reporting anymore and their industry is swirling the drain...

How in the world a "good" media outlet thinks soliciting "free content" like this in any way helps their site or reputation is way beyond me.

[J T]

Almost every train contains logs, I can only imagine what would happen if a train went in from the Michigan side of the river. There is a very narrow part of the river just down stream, it is 35+ feet deep and empties out into a small lake, just above a huge dam. If the logs and cars wash down, the dam could be busted.. On the other hand, if the rail cars and logs jam up at the bridge and block the water.. Many acres of land will flood up river, when THAT breaks..

[MQT3001]

Almost every train contains logs, I can only imagine what would happen if a train went in from the Michigan side of the river. There is a very narrow part of the river just down stream, it is 35+ feet deep and empties out into a small lake, just above a huge dam. If the logs and cars wash down, the dam could be busted.. On the other hand, if the rail cars and logs jam up at the bridge and block the water.. Many acres of land will flood up river, when THAT breaks..

Exactly

What do you think happens when a tree falls into the river?

[MQT3001]

Almost every train contains logs, I can only imagine what would happen if a train went in from the Michigan side of the river. There is a very narrow part of the river just down stream, it is 35+ feet deep and empties out into a small lake, just above a huge dam. If the logs and cars wash down, the dam could be busted.. On the other hand, if the rail cars and logs jam up at the bridge and block the water.. Many acres of land will flood up river, when THAT breaks..

:

Exactly

What do you think happens when a tree falls into the river?

Just looked it up on Google Maps.....his "Huge Dam", definatly isn't Hoover Dam, but it's nice-sized. Here is the hilarious part....it appears to be OVER A DOZEN MILES DOWNSTREAM....just an estimate but . Looks like a few rapids and other snag points along the way too.

[tlapteditor]

Still, nothing compared the Maumee & Western:

[DT&I]

I bet he'd go to President Obama if he saw the MAW

[tadman]

Obviously someone with a lot of time on their hands. CNN has been criticized in the past for this "iCNN", because it's completely un-vetted and may or may not be correct, newsworthy, or even real.

I wouldn't lose any sleep over this. If it's not against FRA rules, what's the worst that can happen? This bozo writes them an "iCNN" ticket?

[GTW6401]

I bet he'd go to President Obama if he saw the MAW

I'd call Amtrak Joe instead.

[Norm]

Hah! "I question how often railroad tracks are inspected across the country..." what an idiot, the lines in the UP are no where near the volume or hazard of what goes through on CSX, NS, BNSF or UP. That track is most likely "excepted" track FRA 213.4 Page 6 http://www.fra.dot.gov/downloads/safety/tss_compliance_manual_chapter_5_final_040107.pdf

The basic requirement of Excepted track are 1, no more than 5 hazmat cars coupled together in a train, you have to have class 1 track 100 feet both sides crossings and bridges. And your gauge cannot be no more than 4'10 1/4". Its only a matter of time though if that is used heavily that they snap a rail then they have an "Infinite" gauge issue...
What you are seeing in his video are a lot of cross level issues which is corrected by tamping, and prolly a few ties in this case.

Cat 345,

The last CN officer I spoke with ( ON FRIENDLILY TERMS) said there were only nine of them to cover the state of Michigan That leaves little time and huge gaps in coverage. Their primary duties are covering the yards where most vandalism takes place and little time for patrolling main lines.

[railroadchoad]

CN Police COULD make a big deal about this, if they chose to do so. The guy posted the video and claims that he took it WHILE TRESPASSING! Frankly, I'd be disappointed if CN didn't do anything about it because this guy is publicly flaunting the fact that he trespassed. If they don't ticket him, how can they, in good conscience, continue to ticket others. At least most people aren't doing it and posting the results on CNN's website!

Didn't UP flip-out when someone posted a youtube video of the 844 taken with a camera placed in the gauge of the rail? Unless the dude who posted this fine piece of "journalism" is a former track inspector, FRA inspector or at least former MofW track worker, his opinion doesn't mean dic*!