What's keeping them on the rails?

[velotrain]

[kvp]

The wonders of modern coupling technology... Actually the cars are empty and coupled together. So if there is enough braked weight on both sides and the unsupported cars are light enough, then even the rails can be removed and the cars would still hang in the air. This is not really possible with conventional loose hook and chain couplers, but the american AAR couplers are strong enough to lift several cars by their coupler.

[velotrain]

I understand that Viktor, but I'm surprised that gravity hasn't derailed that wagon by the concrete section - although, it would still be coupled.

[kvp]

I'm pretty much that car is more or less off it's trucks, but the trucks themselves are probably on the rails. It all depends on if the trucks are locked to the frame or held by gravity only. Actually if you look at the ones behind it, they all seem to be more or less off the rails. I'm not sure they are fully off, but that would help keeping the suspended part of the train in the air, as derailed cars work better as anchors. An aerial photo or one made from the other side would help.

[Nick_Burman]

I understand that Viktor, but I'm surprised that gravity hasn't derailed that wagon by the concrete section - although, it would still be coupled.

 

Charles,

 

This accident happened in my backyard, so to speak...about 400 miles from home. Several factors kept the cars from flipping over, for instance the fact that the cars are permanently connected in pairs and also have tightlock couplers. Note how the two cars by the concrete section are listing at the same angle - that's where the fixed drawbar of the pair is. These gondolas also have a very low center of gravity and since they were empty (the train was heading back to the mines) they stayed there.

 

 

Cheers

[velotrain]

Nick -

 

> Note how the two cars by the concrete section are listing at the same angle 

 

I thought it was because parts of each were resting against the concrete, but I enlarged the image and it doesn't look like the front one is.

 

But what explains the varying angles of the two cars at the bottom of the draped track?

 

 

Viktor - I don't think it's off the trucks, as the relationship of the body to the trucks is the same as on the other cars.

 

 

That's what amazed me about the photo - all the cars seem to be intact, and still on the rails.

 

The track is much more twisted there, at the edge of the landslide.

 

I'm guessing the concrete could be there due to a prior incident - but it also looks like there might be a water channel behind it.

 

It does look like the concrete prevented the cars - track from swinging out more over the chasm.

[Nick_Burman]

Nick -

 

> Note how the two cars by the concrete section are listing at the same angle 

 

I thought it was because parts of each were resting against the concrete, but I enlarged the image and it doesn't look like the front one is.

 

But what explains the varying angles of the two cars at the bottom of the draped track?

 

 

Viktor - I don't think it's off the trucks, as the relationship of the body to the trucks is the same as on the other cars.

 

 

That's what amazed me about the photo - all the cars seem to be intact, and still on the rails.

 

The track is much more twisted there, at the edge of the landslide.

 

I'm guessing the concrete could be there due to a prior incident - but it also looks like there might be a water channel behind it.

 

It does look like the concrete prevented the cars - track from swinging out more over the chasm.

 

Charles,

 

I think it is because the car at the bottom is a "loner", a single car (i'm unfamiliar with the iron ore cars used on the route, there have been several new series put in service since privatisation) and the angle is due to the car having a rotary tightlock coupler.

 

As for the concrete, I suppose you are right, it was there to help stabilize the tracks. As far as I remember the Central Railway of Brazil's crossing of the Mantiqueira range on the Rio - Belo Horizonte main was always a tricky bit of railroading ever since the track arrived there in the 1880's.

 

Cheers NB

[Kiha_120]

OK, enough of the explanations/theories - who's going to get up there and sort this out !  :)

[Ochanomizu]

Indiana Jones ! :D

[Mudkip Orange]

Looks like a Six Flags ride.

[HantuBlauLOL]

RCD compatible coupler, it could be rotated..