Train derailment sends three B737s swimming

[markis10]

MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) - A freight train on its way to Renton derailed in western Montana, sending three cars carrying aircraft components down a steep embankment and into the Clark Fork River.


Montana Rail Link spokeswoman Lynda Frost says 19 cars from a westbound train derailed Thursday about 10 miles west of Alberton. No injuries were reported, and the cause of the derailment is under investigation.

Train headed to Renton derails in Montana, 3 cars in river | Local & Regional | Seattle News, Weather, Sports, Breaking News | KOMO News

 

[Must...Fly!]

AN insurance company, somewhere, just let out a massive sigh!

 

[Chief Wiggum]

AN insurance company, somewhere, just let out a massive sigh!

Ouch... a spot of ground abrasion, hull-pressure and water ingress testing ?

A few insurance companies I'd guess... the rail company's, the a/c manufacture's and let's not forget all the Reinsurers.

 

[markis10]

Lessons in rail truck loading.

Lesson 1 - Don't put the aircraft fuselages together.

 

[Austff]

The scale of the image is deceiving ,they look like B737 eels .

 

[TomVexille]

Ouch. Not good for anyone.

 

[Flying Fox]

Anyone have an idea as to what will happen with the frames?

Scrapped or repaired?

 

[Flying Fox]

More pics here -

http://www.king5.com/news/Train-der...6171.html?gallery=y&c=y&clmob=y&c=n&img=3&c=y

Pic No.4 seems to show the coughpit completely torn off.

 

[Bofter]

I wouldn't have thought that 737 fuselages fit in the railway loading gauge, but this caused me to take a look, and they are even used as the example cargo on Wikipedia.

 

[Clivem]

Re: QF94 (1 July) return

Water in cabins is not just an Airbus issue this week ......A few Boeing cabins are going to need a mop and bucket as well.

 

[Dmac6345]

Re: QF94 Turned Back - Burst Water Pipe

What the hell? Random picture!

 

[mannej]

Re: QF94 Turned Back - Burst Water Pipe

What the hell? Random picture!

Not quite random - a train derailed in the US with 3 737 fuselage on board bound for the Boeing factory.

 

[dougieboy]

Three Boeing fuselages just fell off a train into this rafting river!

Not my quote but it's funny. "737s emerge from birthing river onto land for first time. Their wings, useless in underwater habitats, yet to mature."

 

[dougieboy]

Re: Three Boeing fuselages just fell off a train into this rafting river!

TV Footage:

Train carrying Boeing fuselages derails in Montana | Local & Regional | Seattle News, Weather, Sports, Breaking News | KOMO News

 

[UP4014]

2 737s in the drink in Montana



Boeing on Saturday said it was assessing the damage to aircraft components that were aboard a freight train that derailed in Montana en route to its plants in Washington state.


The derailment on Thursday threatened to throw a wrench in the tightly choreographed and far-flung aerospace supply chain, which depends on just-in-time deliveries of giant parts by train, plane and boat to meet the record demand for jetliners.


The 19-car BNSF Railway Co. train, which derailed near Rivulet, Mont., was carrying components including complete fuselages of six single-aisle 737s, fuselage panels for a long-range 777, and wing parts for a jumbo 747.


Most of those pieces are manufactured by Inc in Wichita, Kan., where the shipment originated, and were destined for Boeing's Renton and Everett final assembly lines that piece together the majority of its commercial aircraft.


Boeing said an investigation into the accident was under way. The company has "deployed experts to the scene to begin a thorough assessment of the situation," a spokesman said. "Once we determine the extent of damage we will assess what, if any, impact there will be to production."


Photos from the scene showed complete 737 fuselages that tumbled down an embankment, two of which were partly submerged in the Clark Fork River below the tracks. A fourth 737 fuselage appeared to have been torn apart during the derailment, as was resting next to the tracks.


Montana Rail Link spokeswoman Lynda Frost said she expected the westbound tracks to reopen as early as Saturday afternoon and added removal of the 737 fuselages from the river would begin Sunday morning and was expected to be completed that day.

 

[cove]

Re: 2 737s in the drink in Montana

A bit of gaffer tape, a hair dryer and they'll be good to go.

 

[UP4014]

Re: 2 737s in the drink in Montana

A bit of gaffer tape, a hair dryer and they'll be good to go.

These 4 are now destined for the west African market.

 

[TheBOSman]

I wouldn't have thought that 737 fuselages fit in the railway loading gauge, but this caused me to take a look, and they are even used as the example cargo on Wikipedia.

Indeed. The railway transit of the fuselages restricts the width of the 737 to what it is currently. As well, the 737-900 is the longest a 737 will ever be, due to restrictions of fuselage length by a tunnel along the route from Wichita to Renton.

 

[Warks]

Must not be any tunnels en route. Or if there are they must be especially large.

 

[Happy Trails]

I find myself reminded of 'The Lumberjack Song'.