Train crash in Holland

I don't know if anyone heard, but there was a train crash in Holland a few days ago. My Dad repairs and rebuilds old German steam engines in Rotterdam so has been telling me about it and sending a few pictures. I thought it was pretty interesting so thought I'd share them for anyone here interested in large unusual operations.

Two freight trains crashed head on under a motorway bridge. The larger of the two locos (US class 66, 130 tons and coloured black) climbed on top of the smaller one (Dutch Railion class 64, 80 tons, red) and crushed it.






Because of the situation under the bridge no cranes were used and two army Leopard recovery tanks arrived this morning to pull the wreckage apart.



Normally the tanks bury their dozer blade in the ground for extra resistance and then use their winch. Because they couldn't penetrate the ground, they were attached to the rails and to two other diesel locos, themselves attached to the rails.
The picture shows the least damaged/easiest loco being recovered, the real pulling work was still to come (it was the second of a double headed train).
Note the front wheel in the air! Twisted chassis I guess.






The place of the accident was the junction between the Rotterdam-Dordrecht line, and the freight line coming out of the harbour. Exact cause not yet known. My guess is that the smaller engines heading south got carved up across their path as the second train with the big engine turned across it and onto the harbour line. One of the two was meant to stop.

Hope you found it interesting!

[the_lone_wolf]

Interesting situation...

Originally Posted by Warthog

Note the front wheel in the air! Twisted chassis I guess.

I suspect the front of the train has been lifted to make it easier to drag out of the tunnel, you can see the steel cable and chains passing under the bogey () in the photo, and more clearly in this one:

very.

those tank things are beasts!

In fact, anyone struck by the wonderful irony of a soldier in full camouflage gear wearing a fluorescent vest?

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by Warthog

In fact, anyone struck by the wonderful irony of a soldier in full camouflage gear wearing a fluorescent vest?

Almost as much as by what appears to be a "60kph" sticker on the back of the tank...

[Mr Speirs]

I like the Chinese/Japanese guy standing precisely where that cable, if it were to snap, would relieve him of a couple of limbs.

[Richie]

Originally Posted by the_lone_wolf

Almost as much as by what appears to be a "60kph" sticker on the back of the tank...

That my good man is the bridge classifaction limit.

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by Richie

That my good man is the bridge classifaction limit.

In that case, much like a recent patient of orthopaedic surgery... I stand corrected...

Originally Posted by Mr Speirs

I like the Chinese/Japanese guy standing precisely where that cable, if it were to snap, would relieve him of a couple of limbs.

Its ok, he has a dayglo vest on

[Mr Speirs]

Well at least the cable will know he is there eh?

Maybe that's why the paramedic is already there.