@jolly said in My Train Wreck:
A train wreck has got to be a scary thing...
A couple of years ago, we were stopped at SPUD (St. Paul Union Depot) for a while. It's a longer stop - refueling, crew change, etc.
On that particular day, they were adding some private cars to the end of the train for the trip to Chicago. It's a beautiful ride along the Mississippi river.
Mrs. George and I were in our sleeper bedroom, and when they coupled the private cars onto the rear of the train, it was quite a violent event. We were both thrown backward. I'm sure this was only about 5mph, or even slower, but it made me aware of how things like this can be dangerous.
In contrast, when we take the Empire Builder to Portland, the train is split into two sections in Spokane. The two lead locomotives and about 4 cars are detached and proceed to Seattle. A third locomotive is attached to the remaining cars and that section proceeds to Portland. It usually occurs in the middle of the night, about 1:30 AM. I've NEVER felt anything when that exchange occurs, and I've been there 8 times (4 westbound, 4 eastbound). You'd never know anything happened.