(The following story by Jerry Abbott appeared on the Torrington Telegram website on February 13.)
TORRINGTON, Wyo. — After investigation by two specialized teams, Union Pacific Railroad has determined a cause for the two derailments that took place 11 miles north of Torrington on Jan. 27 and 28.
According to U.P. spokesman Mark Davis, the cause of both derailments was a loose fastener condition.
“Concrete ties use clips, or fasteners, to hold the rail and tie together – as spikes do with wooden ties,” Davis said. “Under the rail, where the clips hold the rail down, is a silicone pad to keep the metal rail from rubbing on the concrete tie – the rubbing would put a score mark in the tie that would shorten the life of the tie.”
Davis said since the ties were installed in the early 1990s the pads have become thin, allowing the ties to move. Moving ties can cause the track to become out of alignment, which can result in derailments.
“We are in the process of replacing the pads on the concrete ties in the area (of the derailments) as well as establishing a process to inspect concrete ties to determine if this problem can be found elsewhere,” Davis said.