While there is probably no doubt things can be put back to look right, if there is serious frame damage the railroad and/or its insurance carrier may end up writing a check for the whole thing representing the value of the locomotive as one that could have hypothetically been restored to operation even if that was never contemplated. Then subtract scrap value as though the owner is buying it back as junk to cosmetically restore.

I was just told today by someone who has seen security film footage that the camera on the side of the building facing 6721 was inoperative. However, the camera on the other side was working. It showed a small group of travelers waiting for an Amtrak train scheduled to arrive approx 5:38 pm.

Suddenly a giant cloud of dust developed, my friend said it "looked like an explosion."

The travelers began running, except for one gent who pretty much stayed in place, then simply walked away.

6721 probably saved lives and staved off potential catastrophic damage to the overhead walkway by taking it on the nose from the runaway hopper.

I took some video of the initial clean-up efforts today & will post it later.

I think everybody knows what the car hit. More useful to the investigation would be if there was security camera footage of the car at rest in the yard, and beginning rolling. That would show if the derail was set, if someone released the hand brake, bled the air, removed chocks, unlocked and/or removed the derail.

http://www.twcnews.com/nys/central-ny/news/2015/07/27/utica-freight-train-crash-update.html
Looks like they already figured out what caused the car to start to roll...

Here's a video showing a bit of the first day's work:

https://youtu.be/VlcL9gnnh68

I think one of the great threats to the survival of NYC 6721 could be the insurer itself. If they pressure the owner to say, accept a replacement 0-6-0 in exchange for scrapping the 6721. That replacement 0-6-0 could be anything from one that worked a mine or a fireless switcher. In the process we would lose a pre-WWI class 1 0-6-0 that is still cosmetically restorable.

From what I understand, this is how the 2 nee-SP F7s at Galveston were scrapped after Hurricane Ike and replaced with two nee-SP former ConnDOT units (painted like Lionel Santa Fe F units). While both were damaged beyond economical repair to operation, they could have cosmetically restored or at least salvaged for parts.

Hi,

Does anyone recall the C&O roundhouse fire where ex-Reading 2101 was damaged and the result was something like the roundhouse was razed, C&O 614 was swapped for Reading 2102, and Reading 2101 was cosmetically restored to its AFT #1 (for display in the B&O museum)?

Was this 0-6-0 on a historic register anywhere? If so, the insurance company might not have full word on the disposition.

Doug vV

Can we stop digging the grave until we have a diagnosis? Worst case scenario, a restoration isn't funded because of insurance issues. So, JJ takes this poor orphan into his roundhouse hospital and eventually makes her whole again. End result better in the long run.

Remember the runaway car on the Nevada Northern a couple decades ago? Provided an overhaul opportunity for a locomotive that's now in better shape than before the crash.

This video was apparently posted yesterday:

http://www.cnyhomepage.com/news/union-station-surveillance-footage

Looks like the car was going 20-25 mph when it hit.

Looks like the old girl definitely saved lives by taking the brunt of the impact. That's a pretty scary thing to watch.

Hopefully the funding will be there to make her whole again.

Steve Hunter

Indeed fascinating watching the person wearing the blue T-shirt.
They seem hardly moved by the event and reach for what looks like
a bottle of water... as if that's most important, and then adjusts
their sunglasses while conversing with the person in the plaid shirt.

Interesting how everyone is/was reacting in their own way.

What led to a railroad car getting shoved, lost at that rate of speed?

Wow!

John

So has there been any news confirming whether the derail had been set in the derailing position prior to this runaway? It seems to me that would be the most critical question.

No charges filed? Hope somebody at least took him to the wood shed.

http://www.syracuse.com/crime/index.ssf/2015/07/no_charges_for_teen_responsible_for_union_station_train_crash_in_utica.html#incart_river

watching the video, without the engine there the hopper clearly would have smashed thru the building and people were on the other side let alone they could or have been inside yet anybody gawking at the engine.

I tend to think the boy was not trying to release the brakes to have it kareening down to the station and cause possible damage/injury etc as would be the motivation of someone out to cause harm.

The situation is 2fold, boy playing with real freight cars and the car not properly secured. Both contributed to this.