For those
who believe nothing exciting ever happens in Kansas,
except tornados and explosions, check this out .
The Good
news:
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





