Mishap at Union Station, Utica, NY

Not looking good for the 6721

http://www.wktv.com/news/Train_hits_bui ... ation.html

NYS&W car involved

http://www.uticaod.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ga ... fresh=true" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Photo of 6721 and runaway covered hopper.

http://www.localsyr.com/story/d/story/t ... YfY1WRBtkA" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Here is a short YouTube video showing the aftermath of this occurrence:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDbnqvPfs7A" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

6 Photos from WIBX
http://wibx950.com/photo-gallery-from-u ... allery-1=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

FYI, the cited distance of 1.5 miles is within the F.X.Matt brewery. It's also the only possible origin of a car without reverse moves.

There are usually a covered hopper or two on the siding under the bridge from the arterial ramp to Burrstone Road. I remember seeing a single car under that bridge on the way home yesterday and figured it was that one when I saw the news today. The brewery siding has a slight decline off Schuyler Street and I figure it would be hard to just roll away from there. Are they sure it wasn't the lone car under the bridge?

Not the first time NYS&W has had a runaway in Utica...back in the late 80s some box cars ran down Schuyler Street and slammed into the engine house...damaged one of the passenger cars and 1802

It rolled approx 2.5 miles, from the siding just past the old Scheidelman's Warehouse. Edit: The hopper was positioned just south of the Burrstone Rd overpass.

Here is a picture showing three railroad employees clustered about the derail just north of where the covered hopper broke free.

Edit: Pic taken last night.

And, here's a short video showing the scene this morning:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJmQS5ZsiJA" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If it wasn't for 6721, hopper would had ran through that stairway and collapse the walkway.

So did it completely roll through the NYS&W yard west of Utica station without anyone noticing it moving?

Benjamin Maggi wrote:So did it completely roll through the NYS&W yard west of Utica station without anyone noticing it moving?

In other group, it was mentioned that it was placed in storage track along Canal St. I'm not sure where's that in Utica..

The hopper was loaded, rolled down a 2% grade, reached about 40 mph. Not much time to react once it entered the yards.

n2xjk wrote:The hopper was loaded, rolled down a 2% grade, reached about 40 mph. Not much time to react once it entered the yards.

"What was that?"

"I dunno, but it was fast!"

Given the territory it covered (including 4 lane Oriskany Blvd and street running on Schuyler St), it's a wonder there wasn't more havoc.