The scene from Davidson Yard following the derailment of a remote control train on August 31. It resulted in a hazmat release and shelter-in-place order for nearby residents. Image: WFAA-TV
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Another derailment involving a remote control train gained national attention last week. The Dallas Morning News (paywall) reported that an August 31 derailment and hazmat release at Union Pacific’s Davidson Yard in Fort Worth resulted in a shelter-in-place order for nearby residents. Nine cars derailed and two were leaking carbon dioxide. No injuries were reported.
Sources report to the BLET that the accident involved a train operated by one remote control operator.
Although the railroad downplayed the severity of the incident, it should be noted that the hump operation at Davidson Yard was closed until September 3. It is also significant that the city’s hazmat responders were on scene, in addition to the Union Pacific responders. That’s likely because the accident happened about 550 yards from the Trinity River, less than five miles from a golf course where an annual PGA tournament takes place, and about five miles from Texas Christian University.
The BLET has an ongoing effort to warn the public about the dangers posed by remote control locomotives. Some railroads are aggressively expanding their remote operations with many now running through residential and commercial neighborhoods, rather than being confined to rail yards.
Class I railroads are increasing the length of trains operated by remote control. Union Pacific, for example, now operates remote trains of up to 160 cars, or 1.5 miles long, which is about three times longer than FRA recommendations. It’s a risky cost-cutting move by the railroads, trading safety for profits, as remote control operators are generally lower paid and receive less training than certified locomotive engineers.
Watch a news video covering the derailment on WFAA-TV in Dallas–Fort Worth here.
Information about other high-profile remote control incidents are archived here on the BLET website.