AWVR 1206

**AWVR 1206** is an AWVR (Allegheny & West Virginia Railroad) EMD SD40-2 diesel locomotive in the 2010 action/thriller movie, *Unstoppable,* that almost collided with 777 and chased after the runaway train.

## History of Events

Frank Barnes, (A veteran engineer) and Will Colson, (a rookie conductor) were assigned to move 20 freight cars from Zinc Plant, Pennsylvania to Stanton, Pennsylvania. When arriving at Brewster Yard, Will uncouples 1206's trailing cars and the locomotive is moved to the mainline by turntable to where Will puts it backwards. When crossing the curve of Stanton, they arrive at Zinc Plant to collect freight cars consisting of, 3 empty hopper cars, 1 covered hopper car, 1 boxcar, 3 coil cars, 4 empty coal cars, 1 boxcar, 5 empty coal cars, and 2 boxcars. Will was distracted from a call of his brother about the restraining order continuing, that he accidentally hitches 5 more cars to 1206, adding 25 cars in total. Frank notes this and uses his wisdom to counting the switch stands and the rear mirror behind the cars, realizing Will had coupled many cars than 20. Frank and Will get into an argument involving deciding whether to stop to uncouple the cars or to make it to the next siding, when the dispatcher radios for them to clear the mainline for an unmanned train, (commonly known as AWVR 777) heading Northbound towards them. They approach a siding which was 4111 ft, but at signal to signal in reality it was 2500 ft. Due to Will's foolishness in adding 5 cars in total, Frank informs the dispatcher to realign the switch to proceed to the nearest rip track, much to Will's uncertainty.

On a head on collision course, they are broadcasted by the news reporters involving breaking news of the runaway train. Frank and Will finally get 1206 to the rip track where train 777 rounds the curve in front of them. 1206 narrowly avoids colliding with 777 and enters the siding as 777 roars past. As 1206's cars nearly move out of the switch, the last boxcar is derailed by the switch aligned for 777. AWVR 777 smashes into the boxcar, cutting it in half and pushing it clear off the tracks, where it continues it path to Stanton. Frank spots the last grain car on 777 which has an open coupler, and puts a plan to chase 777 in reverse and try to slow her down. They uncouple the rest of 1206's unscathed cars and reenter the mainline, in pursuit of 777, in spite of Galvin's protest. 1206 slowed down for every curve along the tracks and blew its horn at every crossing. They finally catch up with 777, and couple up to the last grain car. However, due to the impact of 1206 slamming into the grain car, grain starts to pour out of the back of 1206's ladder, temporarily blinding Will. After a few attempts to kick the pin down, Will's leg is suddenly crushed under the coupling of 1206 and the last car, leading him to almost dangle down. He managed to climb back up to 1206's cab and Frank wraps his leg up with duct tape. Frank tests the brakes on 1206 and begins to almost successfully slow 777 down to 50 mph.

However the weight of 777 begins to drag 1206 back to its top speed, barely showing any signs of slowing down. Whilst Will stays inside the cab to keep braking, Frank climbs up 777's multiple rear cars and spins each handbrakes, slowing 777 down gradually. Just when good luck was starting to occur, 1206's brakes burn off due to the engine blocks being overheated too much and once again the speed begin to increased. 777 nears the Stanton curve, to the point where not at the exact speed limit at 15 miles per hour, would derail shortly. As the runaway train tilts over the curve, spilling some pipes down the fuel facility from it's bulkhead car, Will attempts to prevent the derailment by hitting 1206's independent brake handle. The action succeeded and 777 makes it through the curve towards another train yard, in threat of derailing there, Ned drives forward towards 1206, anticipating Will to jump in the back of his truck. He does so and they drive forward towards the front of the runaway train, where Will prepares to jump to the ladder of the dangerous 777. With one big cheer from Ned, Will jumps aboard, climbs onto 777 and shuts down the throttle to idle, stopping the train, along with 1206. After the incident, 777, 767 and 1206 were sent for maintenance of damage and repairs of their brakes, and continued service for AWVR to this day.

## Trivia

* The locomotive was played by W&LE #6353 (ex-KCS #664), W&LE #6354 (ex-KCS #665), and the remains of a scrapped SD40-2 (used for cab shots).
	+ The locomotive also had some extras, 9751, 1201, 9702 and 9709.
* Though the locomotive uses the Nathan P3 horn sound effect, in the beginning of the film, it was debated that 777 could have used the same horn sound.
* AWVR 1206 was built and created in the 90's, on November 22nd.
* Frank notes to Connie that 1206 has 5.000 horsepower, when evidently SD40-2 locomotives have 3.000 horsepower.
* AWVR 1206 is based on it's real life counterpart, CSX #8392, an EMD SD40-2 that had coupled up behind CSX #8888 which successfully slowed the runaway to about 12 miles per hour, long enough for a CSX Trainmaster "Jon Hosfled" to climb aboard and shut down the engine.