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            HQ-2019-1367
      

      
  Document Series
              Accident Investigations


      
  Author
          The Federal Railroad Administration


      
Accident Date
              October 4, 2019

  Accident Type
              Derailment (DRM)

  Railroad Name
              Norfolk Southern Railway Company

  Location
              Atlanta, GAUnited States

  Accident Number
              HQ-2019-1367

  Investigation Status
              Finalized


      Subject
                    Accident Investigations


      
  Keywords
              Norfolk Southern Railway Company; Derailment; Atlanta, Georgia; Traffic Control; Positive Train Control; Air Pressure; Excessive Buffing or Slack Action; Dynamic Brake; Improper Instruction From Train Yard Crew; Failure to Comply With Rules.


      

      
      
              
                  
      
              
  Document
              HQ-2019-1367 Final.pdf (1.9 MB)

      
              On October 4, 2019, at approximately 11:10 a.m. EST, northbound Norfolk Southern Railway Company (NS) freight Train 187A103 (Train 1) derailed at NS Milepost (MP) 146.7 H on the NS Georgia Division, Atlanta Terminal District in Atlanta, Georgia. The method of operation is Traffic Control (NS Rule 261). The maximum authorized speed on the Inman Runaround Track is 35 mph for freight. Train 1 was traveling at a recorded speed of 7 mph when the train experienced a penalty brake application and later went into an emergency brake application after an unknown car derailed. Once the air pressure was restored on the rear, Train 1 began to proceed again before an inspection was performed which subsequently led to an additional 32 cars derailing. There was a total of 33 derailed cars that came to rest with a majority of the cars laying against an embankment. Two of the derailed cars were empty hazardous materials Chlorine tank cars.
      
            
      
      
              Last updated: Friday, October 4, 2019 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

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