It was a normal day in Sharon Springs, KS when a Union Pacific crew boarded a loaded coal train to head on the long trek back to Salina.
The Bad News:
Just a few miles into the trip a wheel bearing becomes overheated and melts off letting the truck support drop down and grind on top of the rail creating white hot molten metal droppings to spew downward on the rail.
The Good News:
A very alert crew noticed a small amount of smoke about halfway back in the train and immediately stopped the train in compliance with the rules.
The Bad News:
The train just happened to stop with the hot wheel on top of a wooden bridge built with creosote ties and trusses.
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