Just saw a report of derailment car carriers in South Carolina ( NS ? ). EDIT 97 BMWs seen being grabbed up and crushed.
No reported injuries. Will try to post link.
http://www.wyff4.com/article/sc-train-derailment-damages-97-bmws/8464177
We had something similar to that in Edmonton a few months ago, some loaded autoracks derailed in the yard right next to a car dealership.
For a second I thought it was a news door-to-door service for automakers.
CN: “We Deliver”
Not sure what the ‘current’ thinking is with the railroad insurance carriers, but the position of the auto manufacturers is that cars damaged in a rail incident will be crushed as expeditiously as possible. Even to being burried in trenches close to the wreck site., after the wrecks had been crushed by sideboom Cats.
It was explained to myself, and a couple of other drivers the manufacturer would rather not be forced to complete with recently repaired ‘new’ cars, and the ‘risk’ problems for the car company that manufacturered those cars.
The railroads seemed to take the position of having to write one check, and clear the incident off the books completely; as opposed to having to essentially be ‘nickle and dimed’ by a string of repairs to those involved autos. Once disposed of they are no longer potentially problematic for the railroad and the car manufacturer.
Got to imagine some pretty interesting forces in play as those cars derail, especially if they end up on their sides. I’m pretty sure the automobiles are tied down, so the frame/body will get pretty jacked up.
One of the automakers used to (and may still) crush any cars they used for testing, regardless of condition. And this was cars not even used for any sort of collision testing.
The logistics of getting the cars to some place that can recycle them may be pricier than other options…
Go to Google Earth and go to Walong Siding (Tehachapi Loop) and click the “History” icon (clock face) and move back to May of 2013 to see part of the cleanup from the BNSF rear-ender that derailed a number of auto racks between Walong and Marcel sidings. Pan to the right and you will see maybe 14 auto racks still in the area.
Lots of activity there.
Tree is correct; “One of the automakers used to (and may still) crush any cars they used for testing, regardless of condition. And this was cars not even used for any sort of collision testing.” The autos used for most testing are not legal to license for the highway. They are right off the production line, but, to make sure they can’t be licensed they do not have titles and can’t be sold. The vehicles used for ‘PEP’, Product Evaluation Program, are eventually sold with 3,000 to 12,000 miles on them by dealers as used. “The logistics of getting the cars to some place that can recycle them may be pricier than other options…” Very true!! They also run the risk of "parts’ getting to the market with hidden defects causing massive liability issues. As Larry can probably tell you from his days near the GM proving grounds, it’s interesting to pass or get passed by a line of ‘future vehicles’ in black and white camouflage on the expressways in SE Michigan. &nb
Just the cost of doing business - for both the railroads and the vehicle manufacturers.