315:
500:
1042:
970:
952:
1024:
774:: in hot weather the rail steel expands. This is managed by stressing continuously welded rails (they are tensioned mechanically to be stress neutral at a moderate temperature) and by providing proper expansion gaps at joints and ensuring that fishplates are properly lubricated. In addition, lateral restraint is provided by an adequate ballast shoulder. If any of these measures are inadequate, the track may buckle; a large lateral distortion takes place, which trains are unable to negotiate. (In nine years 2000/1 to 2008/9 there were 429 track buckle incidents in Great Britain).
1236:(container train) was derailed at Lamington; and on 23 July an express passenger train was derailed at Sandy. The official report was not entirely conclusive as to the causes, but it observed that the annual total of buckling distortions was 48 in 1969, having been in single figures in every previous year, and that distortions per 1,000 miles per annum were 10.42 for CWR and 2.98 for jointed track in 1969, having been a maximum of 1.78 and 1.21 in the previous ten years. 90% of the distortions could be attributed to one of the following:
323:
1184:
1006:
361:
1113:
988:
851:. This generally arises when a driver fails to slow the train for a sharp curved section in a route that otherwise has higher speed conditions. In the extreme this results in the train entering a curve at a speed at which it cannot negotiate the curve, and gross derailment takes place. The specific mechanism of this may involve bodily tipping (rotation) but is likely to involve disruption of the track structure and derailment as the primary failure event, followed by overturning.
90:
413:
1133:
627:
1318:
342:
532:
153:
472:
49:
1259:
650:
255:
1342:
791:
incorrectly believes they have authority to proceed over the trap points, or that the signaller improperly gives such permission; this results in derailment. The resulting derailment does not always fully protect the other line: a trap point derailment at speed may well result in considerable damage and obstruction, and even a single vehicle may obstruct the clear line.
937:
slightly smaller diameter. As the two wheels rotate at the same rate, the forward speed of the left wheel is a little faster than the forward speed of the right wheel. This causes the wheelset to curve to the right, correcting the displacement. This takes place without flange contact; the wheelsets steer themselves on moderate curves without any flange contact.
1467:
This was understood as early as 1844, when Robert
Stephenson gave evidence that "in bringing round the curve, the wheels will all be fixed on the axles, and being of the same size, of course the outside has to go over more ground than the inside and therefore the outside ones slide upon the turn, and
1090:
During this flange contact, the wheel on the high rail is experiencing the lateral force L, towards the outside of the curve. As the wheel rotates, the flange tends to climb up the flange angle. It is held down by the vertical load on the wheel V, so that if L/V exceeds the trigonometrical tangent of
878:
derailment can result if the relationship between these forces, L/V, is excessive. The lateral force L results not only from centrifugal effects, but a large component is from the crabbing of a wheelset which has a non-zero angle of attack during running with flange contact. The L/V excess can result
728:
The mechanism of gauge widening is usually gradual and relatively slow, but if it is undetected, the final failure often takes place under the effect of some additional factor, such as excess speed, poorly maintained running gear on a vehicle, misalignment of rails, and extreme traction effects (such
1152:
A more sophisticated process involves a controlled process using slewing jacks in addition. This combination of lifting and sliding is called a hydraulic rerailing system. A system consisting of high pressure hydraulic lifting jacks (used for lifting the train) so a sliding system can be positioned
890:
in the track. This can arise if the cant (crosslevel, or superelevation) of the track varies considerably over the wheelbase of a vehicle, and the vehicle suspension is very stiff in torsion. In the quasi-static situation it may arise in extreme cases of poor load distribution, or on extreme cant at
790:
To prevent the unintended movement of freight vehicles from sidings to running lines, and other analogous improper movements, trap points and derails are provided at the exit from the sidings. In some cases these are provided at the convergence of running lines. It occasionally happens that a driver
782:
Junctions and other changes of routing on railways are generally made by means of points (switches – movable sections capable of changing the onward route of vehicles). In the early days of railways these were moved independently by local staff. Accidents – usually collisions – took place when staff
725:), in which the sleepers or other fastenings fail to maintain the proper gauge. In lightly engineered track where rails are spiked (dogged) to timber sleepers, spike hold failure may result in rotation outwards of a rail, usually under the aggravating action of crabbing of bogies (trucks) on curves.
1065:
Diagram 3 shows the running of wheelsets in a bogie or a four-wheeled vehicle. The wheelset is not running parallel to the track: it is constrained by the bogie frame and suspension, and it is yawing to the outside of the curve; that is, its natural rolling direction would lead along a less sharply
1061:
The sharper the curve, the greater the lateral displacement necessary to achieve the curving. On a very sharp curve (typically less than about 500 m or 1,500 feet radius) the width of the wheel tread is not enough to achieve the necessary steering effect, and the wheel flange contacts the
901:
In extreme situations, the infrastructure may be grossly distorted or even absent; this may arise from a variety of causes, including earthwork movement (embankment slips and washouts), earthquakes and other major terrestrial disruptions, or deficient protection during work processes, among others.
1497:
The value of L is determined by the load on both wheels of the wheelset multiplied by the coefficient of friction, plus the centrifugal force. But the sliding on the wheel on the low rail is not lateral—the wheel tread is actually sliding backwards (i.e rotating less rapidly than the forward speed
1226:
in
Germany, a high speed passenger train derailed in 1998, killing 101 people. The primary cause was the fracture from metal fatigue of a wheel tyre; the train failed to negotiate two sets of points and struck the pier of an overbridge. It was the most serious railway accident in Germany, and also
786:
The first concentration of levers for signals and points brought together for operation was at
Bricklayer's Arms Junction in south-east London in the period 1843–1844. The signal control location (forerunner of the signalbox) was enhanced by the provision of interlocking (preventing a clear signal
763:
in the vehicles, leading to extreme improper movement and possibly derailment. This is most hazardous when a cyclic roll is set up by crosslevel variations, but vertical cyclical errors also can result in vehicles lifting off the track; this is especially the case when the vehicles are in the tare
459:
During the 19th century derailments were commonplace, but progressively improved safety measures have resulted in a stable lower level of such incidents. A sampling of annual approximate numbers of derailments in the United States includes 3000 in 1980, 1000 in 1986, 500 in 2010, and 1000 in 2022.
1274:
on 5 March 1967 in
England, a signaller moved the points immediately in front of an approaching train. Mechanical signalling was in force at the location, and it was believed that he improperly replaced the signal protecting the points to danger just as the locomotive passed it. This released the
835:
More sophisticated technologies in use nowadays generally employ couplings that have no loose slack, although there is elastic movement at the couplings; continuous braking is provided, so that every vehicle on the train has brakes controlled by the driver. Generally this uses compressed air as a
1235:
In 1967 in the UK there were four derailments due to buckling of continuously welded track ("CWR"): at
Lichfield on 10 June, an empty carflat train (a train of flat cars for transporting automobiles); on 13 June an express passenger train was derailed at Somerton; on 15 July a freightliner train
447:
in New Jersey that occurred on 8 November 1833. The train was traveling between
Hightstown and Spotswood, New Jersey, and derailed after an axle broke on one of the carriages as a result of a journal box catching fire. The derailment resulted in one casualty and twenty-three injuries, and it was
1287:
in the UK in 1984 upon hitting a cow at speed; the train formation had the locomotive at the rear (propelling) with a light driving-trailer vehicle leading. The cow had strayed on to the line from adjacent agricultural land, due to deficient fencing. 13 persons died in the resulting derailment.
1148:
If the derailed vehicle is further from the track, or its configuration (such as a high centre of gravity or a very short wheelbase) make the use of ramps impossible, jacks may be used. In its crudest form, the process involves lifting the vehicle frame and then allowing it to fall off the jack
1144:
With simple wagon derailments where the final position is close to the proper track location, it is usually possible to pull the derailed wheelsets back on to the track using rerailing ramps; these are metal blocks designed to fit over the rails and to provide a rising path back to the track. A
1140:
Following a derailment, it is naturally necessary to replace the vehicle on the track. If there is no significant track damage, that may be all that is needed. However, when trains in normal running derail at speed, a considerable length of track may be damaged or destroyed; far worse secondary
936:
Diagram 2 shows the wheelset displaced to the left, due to curvature of the track or a geometrical irregularity. The left wheel (shown here) is now running on a slightly larger diameter; the right wheel opposite has moved to the left as well, towards the centre of the track, and is running on a
870:
The guidance system of practical railway vehicles relies on the steering effect of the conicity of the wheel treads on moderate curves (down to a radius of about 500 m, or about 1,500 feet). On sharper curves flange contact takes place, and the guiding effect of the flange relies on a
1300:
took place on 1 July 1906; a first class only special boat train from
Stonehousepool, Plymouth England, ran through Salisbury station at about 60 miles per hour (97 km/h); there was a sharp curve of ten chains (660 feet, 200 m) radius and a speed restriction to 30 miles per hour
1309:
in 1975 (temporary speed restriction in force due to trackwork, warning sign illumination failed), the
Morpeth accident in 1984 (express passenger sleeping car train took 50 miles per hour (80 km/h) restricted sharp curve at full speed; alcohol a factor; no fatalities due to the improved
672:, the rail running surface may be disrupted if a piece has fallen out, or become lodged in an incorrect location, or if a large gap between the remaining rail sections arises. 170 broken (not cracked) rails were reported on Network Rail in the UK in 2008, down from a peak of 988 in 1998/1999.
839:
If a train driver applies the train brakes suddenly and severely, the front part of the train is subject to braking forces first. (Where only the locomotive has braking, this effect is obviously more extreme). The rear part of the train may overrun the front part, and in cases where coupling
391:
A derailment of a train can be caused by a collision with another object, an operational error (such as excessive speed through a curve), the mechanical failure of tracks (such as broken rails), or the mechanical failure of the wheels, among other causes. In emergency situations, deliberate
1076:
This sliding requires a considerable force to make it happen, and the friction force resisting the sliding is designated "L", the lateral force. The wheelset applies a force L outwards to the rails, and the rails apply a force L inwards to the wheels. Note that this is quite independent of
827:
The handling of a train can also cause derailments. The vehicles of a train are connected by couplings; in the early days of railways these were short lengths of chain ("loose couplings") that connected adjacent vehicles with considerable slack. Even with later improvements there may be a
764:(empty) condition, and if the suspension is not designed to have appropriate characteristics. The last condition applies if the suspension springing has a stiffness optimised for the loaded condition, or for a compromise loading condition, so that it is too stiff in the tare situation.
932:
Diagram 1 below shows the wheel and rail with the wheelset running straight and central on the track. The wheelset is running away from the observer. (Note that the rail is shown inclined inwards; this is done on modern track to match the rail head profile to the wheel tread profile.)
1103:
It is emphasised that this is a much simplified description of the physics; complicating factors are creep, actual wheel and rail profiles, dynamic effects, stiffness of longitudinal restraint at axleboxes, and the lateral component of longitudinal (traction and braking) forces.
1153:
underneath the vehicle. The sliding system consist of a beam (also called a bridge) with sleds or carriages which are moved laterally with a horizontally positioned high pressure hydraulic jack to push the vehicle back above track. After which it is lowered again on the track.
1900:
Railway
Accidents, Interim Report on the Derailments that occurred on Continuous Welded Track at Lichfield (London Midland Region), Somerton (Western Region) and Sandy (Eastern Region), British Railways, during June and July 1969, and on the General Safety of this form of
1095:
usually takes place. In
Diagram 5 the flange contact angle is quite steep, and flange climbing is unlikely. However, if the rail head is side-worn (side-cut) or the flange is worn, as shown in Diagram 6 the contact angle is much flatter and flange climbing is more likely.
840:
condition is imperfect, the resultant sudden closing up (an effect referred to as a "run-in") may result in a vehicle in tare condition (an empty freight vehicle) being lifted momentarily, and leaving the track. This effect was relatively common in the nineteenth century.
1099:
Once the wheel flange has completely climbed onto the rail head, there is no lateral restraint, and the wheelset is likely to follow the yaw angle, resulting in the wheel dropping outside the rail. An L/V ratio greater than 0.6 is considered to be hazardous.
1304:
There have been several other derailments in the UK due to trains entering speed-restricted sections of track at excessive speed; the causes have generally been inattention by the driver due to alcohol, fatigue or other causes. Prominent cases were the
1301:(48 km/h). The locomotive overturned bodily and struck the vehicles of a milk train on the adjacent line. 28 people were killed. The driver was sober and normally reliable, but had not driven a non-stopping train through Salisbury before.
910:
Nearly all practical railway systems use wheels fixed to a common axle: the wheels on both sides rotate in unison. Tramcars requiring low floor levels are the exception, but much benefit in vehicle guidance is lost by having unlinked wheels.
745:(trucks), and suspension—may fail. The most common historical failure mode is collapse of plain bearings due to deficient lubrication, and failure of leaf springs; wheel tyres are also prone to failure due to metallurgical crack propagation.
709:
Rail welds (where rail sections are joined by welding) may fail due to poor workmanship; this may be triggered by extremely cold weather or improper stressing of continuously welded rails, such that high tensile forces are generated in the
665:), and supported on transverse sleepers (ties). Some advanced track structures support the rails on a concrete or asphalt slab. The running surface of the rails is required to be practically continuous and of the proper geometrical layout.
1468:
consequently, as you see in the Bristol stations , you will see such wheels grind in their operation." Stephenson was giving evidence in the House of Commons regarding the South Devon Railway bill, on 26 April 1844, quoted in Hugh Howes,
1393:
The U.S. Federal Railroad Administration categorises derailments differently, for the use of professionals in the industry; these are not completely helpful for external readers, but for completeness, the main groupings are given here:
783:
forgot which route the points were set for, or overlooked the approach of a train on a conflicting route. If the points were not correctly set for either route – set in mid-stroke – it is possible for a train passing to derail.
1275:
locking on the points and he moved them to lead to a loop line with a low speed restriction. The train, travelling at 75 miles per hour (121 km/h), was unable to negotiate the points in that position and five people died.
1073:(or the yaw angle). As the wheelset rolls forward, it is forced to slide across the railhead by the flange contact. The whole wheelset is forced to do this, so the wheel on the low rail is also forced to slide across its rail.
645:
Broken rails are a leading cause of derailments. According to data from the Federal Railroad Administration, broken rails and welds are the most common reason for train derailments, making up more than 15 percent of derailment
843:
On curved sections, the longitudinal (traction or braking) forces between vehicles have a component inward or outward respectively on the curve. In extreme situations these lateral forces may be enough to produce derailment.
818:
Derailment has also been brought about in situations of war or other conflict, such as during hostility by Native Americans, and more especially during periods when military personnel and materiel was being moved by rail.
799:
If a train collides with a massive object, it is clear that derailment of the proper running of vehicle wheels on the track may take place. Although very large obstructions are imagined, it has been known for a cow
1214:, a triangular segment of rail at a joint became displaced, and lodged in the joint; it derailed a passenger train and 49 persons died. Poor maintenance on an intensively operated section of route was the cause.
1145:
locomotive is usually used to pull the wagon. A disadvantage of doing it this way is that the ramps can seriously damage the infrastructure. Because of which, this procedure may not be used in several countries.
969:
897:
If weld repair of side-worn switches is undertaken, it is possible for poor workmanship to produce a ramp in the profile in the facing direction, that deflects an approaching wheel flange on to the rail head.
815:(grade crossings); malicious persons sometimes place materials on the rails, and in some cases relatively small objects cause a derailment by guiding one wheel over the rail (rather than by gross collision).
1041:
828:
considerable slack between the traction situation (power unit pulling the couplings tight), and power unit braking (locomotive applying brakes and compressing buffers throughout the train). This results in
951:
602:
a fault in the geometry of the track components or the running gear that results in a quasi-static failure in running (for example rail climbing due to excessive wear of wheels or rails, earthworks slip)
756:
If a vertical, lateral, or crosslevel irregularity is cyclic and takes place at a wavelength corresponding to the natural frequency of certain vehicles traversing the route section, there is a risk of
1023:
748:
Modern technologies have reduced the incidence of these failures considerably, both by design (specially the elimination of plain bearings) and intervention (non-destructive testing in service).
929:
The example shown here uses a right-curving section of track. The focus is on the left-side wheel, which is more involved with the forces critical to guiding the railcar through the curve.
894:
If a rail has been subject to extreme sidewear, or a wheel flange has been worn to an improper angle, it is possible for the L/V ratio to exceed the value that the flange angle can resist.
1005:
1207:
had resulted in multiple gauge corner cracking in the surface; 300 such cracks were subsequently found at the site. The rail cracked under a high speed passenger train, which derailed.
1488:
Centrifugal force is a convenient imaginary concept; strictly speaking it is the inertia of a body being accelerated, equal to the product of the mass of the body and the acceleration.
695:
Metallurgical changes take place due to the phenomenon of gauge corner cracking (in which fatigue microcracking propagates faster than ordinary wear), and also due to the effects of
388:
comes off its rails. Although many derailments are minor, all result in temporary disruption of the proper operation of the railway system and they are a potentially serious hazard.
729:
as high propelling forces). The crabbing effect referred to above is more marked in dry conditions, when the coefficient of friction at the wheel to rail interface is high.
713:
The fishplates (joint bars) in jointed track may fail, allowing the rails to pull apart in extremely cold weather; this is usually associated with uncorrected rail creep.
692:
can result in the propagation of star cracking from the bolthole. In extreme situations this can lead to a triangular piece of rail at the joint becoming detached.
1091:
the flange contact angle, climbing will take place. The wheel flange will climb to the rail head where there is no lateral resistance in rolling movement, and a
1156:
Photographs of early locomotives often indicate one or more jacks carried on the frame of the locomotive for the purpose, presumed to be a frequent occurrence.
1729:
1163:
to lift a locomotive bodily. In special cases road cranes are used, as these have greater lifting and reach capacity, if road access to the site is feasible.
276:
2275:
1590:
1227:
the most serious on any high speed (over 200 kilometres per hour (120 mph)) line. Ultrasonic testing had failed to reveal the incipient fracture.
987:
862:
of trains traveling about 100 miles per hour (160 km/h). Both went at about twice the maximum allowable speed for the curved section of track.
706:
Local embrittlement of the parent metal may take place due to wheel spin (traction units rotating driving wheels without movement along the track).
2252:
767:
The vehicle wheelsets become momentarily unloaded vertically so that the guidance required from the flanges or wheel tread contact is inadequate.
1166:
In extreme circumstances, a derailed vehicle in an awkward location may be scrapped and cut up on site, or simply abandoned as non-salvageable.
1927:
100:
1980:
1848:
879:
from wheel unloading, or from improper rail or wheel tread profiles. The physics of this is more fully described below, in the section
263:
2229:
1477:
1159:
When more complex rerailing work is needed, various combinations of cable and pulley systems may be used, or the use of one or more
314:
2308:
2066:
1630:
2224:
2219:
2214:
2209:
2204:
2199:
2194:
2189:
2184:
2179:
2174:
2169:
2164:
2159:
2035:
1717:
1676:
1556:
599:
the primary mechanical failure of a component of the running gear of a vehicle (for example axlebox failure, wheel breakage)
2154:
1458:
Yaw describes the situation when the longitudinal axis of the wheelset is not the same as the longitudinal axis of motion.
836:
control medium, and there is a measurable time lag as the signal (to apply or release brakes) propagates along the train.
2083:
2075:
596:
the primary mechanical failure of a track component (for example broken rails, gauge spread due to sleeper (tie) failure)
217:
1831:
1811:
859:
189:
1865:
Report on the Derailment that Occurred on 5th November 1967 at Hither Green in the Southern Region of British Railways
2247:
1951:
1924:
1916:
Report on the Derailment that Occurred on 5th March, 1967, at Connington South in the Eastern Region British Railways
1886:
1696:
1615:
1087:
that may be as high as 0.5 in dry conditions, so that the lateral force may be up to 0.5 of the vertical wheel load.
1080:
The load (vertical force) on the outer wheel is designated V, so that in Diagram 4 the two forces L and V are shown.
855:
579:
301:
236:
134:
76:
1997:
Report on the Derailment that occurred on 6th June 1985 at Nuneaton in the London Midland Region of British Railways
1741:
561:
1121:
196:
622:
train handling (snatches due to sudden traction or braking forces, referred to as slack action in North America).
1518:
2270:
557:
174:
1944:
Report on the Derailment that occurred on 30th July 1984 near Polmont in the Scottish Region, British Railways
1077:"centrifugal force". However at higher speeds the centrifugal force is added to the friction force to make L.
1015:
L and V forces in curving (perspective is eye level with and in between the two rails, looking down the track)
2010:
Report on the Derailment that occurred on 24th June 1984 at Morpeth in the Eastern Region of British Railways
1322:
499:
31:
203:
2059:
979:
Wheel and rail with wheel displaced to the left (perspective is eye level with and looking along left rail)
2136:
1976:
1271:
553:
170:
62:
661:
A traditional track structure consists of two rails, fixed at a designated distance apart (known as the
2303:
961:
Wheel tread and rail during central running (perspective is eye level with and looking along left rail)
185:
1051:
Worn wheel and rail during flange climbing (perspective is eye level with and looking along left rail)
2260:
1852:
1297:
738:
508:
17:
1914:
1427:
Source: Safety Database Analysis, Transportation Technology Center Inc, Pueblo Col, 2002, quoted in
484:
542:
444:
345:
116:
1498:
requires) and the lateral friction force generated is limited by the vector of the sliding action.
615:
as a secondary event following collision with other trains, road vehicles, or other obstructions (
2265:
2239:
2146:
2121:
2116:
2052:
1360:
1211:
1204:
1187:
1176:
1084:
1033:
Wheel and rail during flange climbing (perspective is eye level with and looking along left rail)
546:
424:
268:
163:
592:
Derailments result from one or more of a number of distinct causes; these may be classified as:
1355:
1223:
1125:
696:
654:
612:
improper operation of points, or improper observance of signals protecting them (signal errors)
504:
1898:
1284:
1217:
805:
334:
1449:
The high rail is considered to be the outer rail in a curve; the low rail is the inner rail.
1288:
However this was thought to be the first occurrence from this cause (in the UK) since 1948.
2298:
1863:
760:
449:
8:
1306:
1200:
926:. On idealised straight track, a wheelset would run centrally, midway between the rails.
919:
606:
456:
were on the train as it took place, in which Adams wrote about the event in his journal.
349:
1964:
Railway Safety: Report on the Safety Record of the Railways in Great Britain During 1984
1136:
Rerailing a locomotive using a rerailer and wooden blocks after a broken rail derailment
210:
2106:
1591:"There are about 3 U.S. train derailments per day. They aren't usually major disasters"
689:
35:
2101:
2031:
1947:
1920:
1882:
1827:
1807:
1713:
1692:
1672:
1552:
1473:
700:
453:
108:
2091:
1844:
Train Derailment at Hatfield: A Final Report by the Independent Investigation Board
1183:
1160:
480:
1984:
1931:
1311:
322:
112:
68:
1842:
616:
373:
1112:
688:
and these are enhanced around the bolt hole. Where track maintenance is poor,
360:
2292:
2131:
2111:
1375:
1365:
1347:
1263:
677:
516:
1689:
United States Military Railway Service America's Soldier Railroaders in WWII
804:
on to the line to derail a passenger train at speed such as occurred in the
1326:
1240:
failure to comply with the instructions for laying or maintaining CWR track
1117:
515:
which caused the derailment. After derailing, the rear of the train hit an
512:
397:
1218:
Primary mechanical failure of a component of the running gear of a vehicle
2126:
1370:
1132:
685:
662:
631:
381:
1317:
412:
341:
605:
a dynamic effect of the track-vehicle interaction (for example extreme
1868:, Ministry of Transport, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1968
479:
Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on
1069:
The angle between the natural path and the actual path is called the
757:
681:
519:
353:
626:
531:
152:
1246:
the effect of discontinuities in the CWR track such as points etc.
1194:
997:
Bogie and wheelset in a right-turning curve (overhead perspective)
2044:
1258:
649:
254:
1616:"Train Fatalities, Injuries, and Accidents by Type of Accident"
1230:
1175:
Note: there is a large list of railway accidents in general at
801:
443:
The first recorded train derailment in history is known as the
393:
365:
1879:
Eschede, 10 Uhr 59. Die Geschichte einer Eisenbahn-Katastrophe
609:, vertical bounce, track shift under a train, excessive speed)
742:
385:
1710:
Engines of War: How Wars Were Won & Lost on the Railways
923:
1656:
Derailment of a Train at Cummersdale, Cumbria, 1 June 2009
1341:
1329:
coupler pockets for moving standard and narrow gauge cars.
1253:
1737:
1594:
1243:
recent interference with the consolidation of the ballast
1128:
being lifted back onto the tracks by a rail crane in 1951
522:, severely damaging the driver's side of the front coach.
777:
1440:
On Network Rail, so excluding certain "Metro" networks.
1278:
787:
being set for a route that was not available) in 1856.
400:
is sometimes used to prevent a more serious accident.
1631:"Broken Rails Are Leading Cause of Train Derailments"
1730:"Native Americans and the Transcontinental Railroad"
1337:
684:(joint bars). The web of the rail experiences large
177:. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
1149:towards the track. This may need to be repeated.
1141:damage may be caused if a bridge is encountered.
794:
2290:
1919:, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1969
1249:extraneous factors such as formation subsidence.
1066:curved path than the actual curve of the track.
1966:, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1984
1904:, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1970
1628:
1195:Primary mechanical failure of a track component
1203:in England in 2000, which killed four people,
914:The benefit of linked wheels derives from the
2060:
1551:, Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, 2012,
1549:Train Wreck – the Forensics of Rail Disasters
860:Philadelphia train derailment two years later
847:A special case of train handling problems is
811:The most common obstructions encountered are
699:during the manufacturing process, leading to
630:A derailed locomotive unit in Australia at a
448:recorded that both New York railroad magnate
97:The examples and perspective in this article
1231:Dynamic effects of vehicle–track interaction
751:
1857:
1691:, 1992, Boston Mills Press, Erin, Ontario,
717:Derailment may take place due to excessive
560:. Unsourced material may be challenged and
77:Learn how and when to remove these messages
30:For the use of the term in psychiatry, see
2067:
2053:
1907:
1847:, Office of Rail Regulation, London, 2006
1648:
680:, rails are usually connected with bolted
384:that occurs when a rail vehicle such as a
1969:
1946:, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1985,
1782:
1780:
1778:
1671:, Voyageur Press, Minneapolis, MN, 2003,
1588:
1574:Railway Vehicle Derailment and Prevention
1291:
905:
580:Learn how and when to remove this message
302:Learn how and when to remove this message
237:Learn how and when to remove this message
135:Learn how and when to remove this message
34:. For the 2011 Canadian documentary, see
1989:
1891:
1836:
1786:Jean-Bernard Ayasse and Hugues Chollet,
1654:Rail Accident Investigation Board (UK),
1470:The Struggle for the South Devon Railway
1316:
1257:
1182:
1131:
1111:
648:
625:
498:
359:
340:
321:
318:Train wreck in Leavick, Colorado in 1897
313:
279:of all important aspects of the article.
2025:
2012:, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1985
2002:
1999:, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1986
1936:
1871:
1816:
1796:
1761:
1759:
1661:
1629:Tracy, Abigail; Reznik, Tal; Volcativ.
1543:
1541:
1539:
1472:, Twelveheads Press, Chacewater, 2012,
822:
14:
2291:
2030:. Boca Raton, Fl: Taylor and Francis.
1956:
1881:, GeraNova Zeitschriftenverlag, 2002,
1775:
1702:
1681:
1618:. Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
1283:A passenger train was derailed in the
653:A broken rail, probably starting from
275:Please consider expanding the lead to
2048:
1254:Improper operation of control systems
1188:Train derailment at Gare Montparnasse
871:vertical force (the vehicle weight).
778:Improper operation of control systems
619:collisions, obstructions on the line)
2028:Handbook of Railway Vehicle Dynamics
2008:Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate,
1995:Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate,
1962:Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate,
1942:Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate,
1771:Handbook of Railway Vehicle Dynamics
1756:
1578:Handbook of Railway Vehicle Dynamics
1568:
1566:
1564:
1536:
1523:Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia
1415:Frogs, switches and track appliances
1321:This locomotive was derailed by the
1279:Secondary events following collision
558:adding citations to reliable sources
525:
465:
407:
364:Detail of derailed express train in
248:
175:adding citations to reliable sources
146:
83:
42:
1266:shunter derailed on a disused point
732:
24:
2074:
2019:
1824:Railway Breakdown Cranes: Volume 2
1804:Railway Breakdown Cranes: Volume 1
1519:"Train Derailments and Collisions"
865:
25:
2320:
1561:
1083:The steel-to-steel contact has a
886:Wheel unloading can be caused by
856:Santiago de Compostela derailment
463:Derailments in the United States
58:This article has multiple issues.
1340:
1040:
1022:
1004:
986:
968:
950:
813:road vehicles at level crossings
530:
511:. The train moved over a set of
470:
411:
253:
151:
88:
47:
2309:Railway accidents and incidents
1722:
1589:Hernandez, Joe (9 March 2023).
1572:Huimin Wu and Nicholas Wilson,
1491:
1482:
1461:
1452:
1443:
770:A special case is heat related
640:
634:hidden from view (January 2007)
267:may be too short to adequately
162:needs additional citations for
66:or discuss these issues on the
1622:
1608:
1582:
1511:
1434:
1421:Train handling / train make-up
1387:
795:Derailment following collision
277:provide an accessible overview
13:
1:
1504:
1397:Rail, joint bar and anchoring
1323:1906 San Francisco earthquake
327:
32:Derailment (thought disorder)
2026:Iwnicki, Simon, ed. (2006).
1792:Handbook of Railway Dynamics
1122:London North Eastern Railway
1107:
916:conicity of the wheel treads
854:Fatal instances include the
7:
2137:Train-pedestrian fatalities
1767:Longitudinal Train Dynamics
1333:
1325:. The locomotive had three
1272:Connington South rail crash
1169:
111:, discuss the issue on the
10:
2325:
1409:Axles and journal bearings
1093:flange climbing derailment
918:—the wheel treads are not
403:
29:
2238:
2145:
2082:
1913:Lt-Col I K A McNaughton,
1853:UK Government Web Archive
1687:Don DeNevi and Bob Hall,
849:overspeed on sharp curves
752:Unusual track interaction
509:London Paddington station
494:
452:and former U.S president
333:picture by "C. Petersen"
1712:, Atlantic Books, 2010,
1418:Bogie (truck) components
1381:
445:Hightstown rail accident
346:A derailed freight train
2117:Signal passed at danger
1979:, London, 31 July 1906
1930:8 November 2007 at the
1403:General switching rules
1361:Lists of rail accidents
1212:Hither Green rail crash
1205:rolling contact fatigue
1177:Lists of rail accidents
1085:coefficient of friction
1062:face of the high rail.
942:Wheel-rail interactions
368:, Czech Republic (2007)
2271:level crossing crashes
1977:for the Board of Trade
1851:1 October 2013 at the
1826:, Noodle Books, 2013,
1806:, Noodle Books, 2012,
1658:, Derby, England, 2010
1330:
1292:Train handling effects
1267:
1224:Eschede train disaster
1191:
1137:
1129:
906:Wheel-rail interaction
881:wheel-rail interaction
703:under fatigue loading.
670:broken or cracked rail
658:
635:
523:
505:British Rail Class 165
369:
357:
338:
319:
27:Form of train incident
1983:10 April 2006 at the
1400:Track geometry defect
1320:
1285:Polmont rail accident
1261:
1186:
1135:
1115:
806:Polmont rail accident
690:metallurgical fatigue
652:
629:
502:
363:
344:
337:of a train derailment
335:Fayette County, Texas
325:
317:
1424:Highway rail grading
1298:Salisbury rail crash
823:Harsh train handling
761:harmonic oscillation
721:(sometimes known as
554:improve this section
450:Cornelius Vanderbilt
171:improve this article
117:create a new article
109:improve this article
99:may not represent a
2276:terrorist incidents
1975:Major J W Pringle,
1734:American Experience
1635:Scientific American
1307:Nuneaton rail crash
1201:Hatfield rail crash
737:The running gear –
607:Hunting oscillation
2257:By classification
2107:Rear-end collision
1788:Wheel—Rail Contact
1708:Christian Wolmar,
1669:Railroad Signaling
1331:
1268:
1192:
1138:
1130:
697:hydrogen inclusion
668:In the event of a
659:
655:hydrogen inclusion
636:
524:
423:. You can help by
370:
358:
339:
320:
36:Derailments (film)
2304:Rail technologies
2286:
2285:
2261:boiler explosions
2102:Head-on collision
2037:978-0-8493-3321-7
1718:978-1-84887-172-4
1677:978-0-7603-1360-2
1557:978-1-4214-0590-2
1478:978 0 906294 74 1
1314:of the vehicles)
1161:rail-borne cranes
701:crack propagation
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2020:Further reading
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1832:978-1906419974
1822:Peter Tatlow,
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1802:Peter Tatlow,
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570:January 2015
567:
552:Please help
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186:"Derailment"
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169:Please help
164:verification
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125:October 2018
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2299:Derailments
2155:Before 1880
2127:Train wreck
2122:Telescoping
1371:Train wreck
1356:Guard rails
1116:A derailed
920:cylindrical
891:low speed.
723:road spread
663:track gauge
632:catch point
503:A derailed
481:Phabricator
382:train wreck
2293:Categories
2248:By country
2147:Chronology
2097:Derailment
1640:1 December
1528:1 December
1505:References
958:Diagram 1.
682:fishplates
378:derailment
285:April 2021
197:newspapers
63:improve it
1748:26 August
1108:Rerailing
1048:Diagram 6
1030:Diagram 5
1012:Diagram 4
994:Diagram 3
976:Diagram 2
739:wheelsets
541:does not
520:stanchion
354:Tennessee
269:summarize
113:talk page
69:talk page
18:Derailing
1981:Archived
1928:Archived
1849:Archived
1600:17 March
1412:Switches
1334:See also
1170:Examples
802:straying
772:buckling
758:resonant
350:Farragut
107:You may
2225:2010–19
2220:2000–09
2215:1990–99
2210:1980–89
2205:1970–79
2200:1960–69
2195:1950–59
2190:1940–49
2185:1930–39
2180:1920–29
2175:1910–19
2170:1900–09
2165:1890–99
2160:1880–89
2112:Runaway
1270:In the
1222:In the
1199:In the
924:conical
562:removed
547:sources
483:and on
404:History
394:derails
211:scholar
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1406:Wheels
1264:DB V90
922:, but
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710:rails.
646:cases.
495:Causes
366:Prague
356:(2002)
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1901:Track
1790:, in
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1576:, in
1382:Notes
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204:books
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543:cite
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190:news
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1595:NPR
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