Highball loose tank car at Bethlehem

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Whoops!

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I wonder how that happened.

[MK]

I hope it's empty!   

[railnerd]

I hope it's empty!   

actually, empty tanks are often more hazardous….

-Dave

[CodyO]

What did you do @Ed Kapuscinski 

[MK]

actually, empty tanks are often more hazardous….

-Dave

Really, why is that?  I'm thinking for full (or not empty) tanks, you have leakage of potentially hazardous material (fire, acid, caustic, etc) and the inertial of more weight moving.

[C855B]

I don't see what the problem was - it had a green signal.

[muktown128]

Really, why is that?  I'm thinking for full (or not empty) tanks, you have leakage of potentially hazardous material (fire, acid, caustic, etc) and the inertial of more weight moving.

Flammable vapors would be easier to ignite with a spark resulting in an explosion.

[Chris333]

Was the runaway at Utica that crashed into the steam loco on display ever get discussed here?
https://www.syracuse.com/crime/index.ssf/2015/07/no_charges_for_teen_responsible_for_union_station_train_crash_in_utica.html
http://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=42032

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=6&v=P-ZJkgXpCKc

If you look on the map it is scary how far away the car started from. And it went downhill several blocks on street trackage.

[davefoxx]

Maybe that flat spot on one wheel helped slow the tank car down. 

[Lenny53]

actually, empty tanks are often more hazardous….

-Dave

Tell that to the town of Lac Megantic.

[Tristan Ashcroft]

Ah yes, classic loose car railroading.  So do we know if this thing made it to Easton?

[davefoxx]

Long-distance hump yarding?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

What did you do @Ed Kapuscinski 

I was just waiting for my dozen Yocco hot dogs and she got away from me.

[nkalanaga]

Empty tanks, with vapors, are more likely to explode.  That's why one should always fill a vehicle fuel tank with water before welding on it.  But they go boom, and that's it.

Loaded tanks, once ignited, can do more overall damage, because they contain a lot more potential energy.  The initial reaction may not do much damage, but the fire can last, and spread farther, for more total damage.

The worst is a tank full of liquefied gas.  If the tank is punctured, without igniting the cargo, the vapors will spread until they reach a source of ignition.  The entire vapor cloud then detonates at once.  If the leak is burning, unless the flames are heating the tank, or another tank, it's best to let it burn.  That prevents the buildup of vapors.

[nscaler711]

So... Uh... Anyone want to make a _powered N scale car that runs away?

Also hope it was a tanker that didn't carry flammable liquids, or hazmat period... Corn Syrup anyone?