A massive Earthquake follow by a huge Tsunami hit northern Japan today, a passenger train on the East Japan railway operating near the severely damaged city of Sendai is missing and it is feared that it may have been swept away by the resulting Tsunami. My thoughts and prayers are with the Japanese people today.
My sympathies to all affected. But if the Pacific Rim isn’t shaking and spouting fire, then the planet is dying.
My thoughts and prayers to all those affected.
Japanese Earthquake tweets -
Last I heard was FOUR trains unaccounted for, all passenger trains. The earthquake was so massive, that land along the coast has actually dropped below sea level.
The last I heard they were FOUR trains unaccounted for, all of them passenger trains.
The earthquake was so massive, that land along the shore has actually dropped below sea level.
Report that I heard stated that the big island in Japan moved 8 feet closer to California
And at the epicenter of the quake there is now a crack in the ocean floor 150 miles long and 50 miles wide.
[quote user=“ButchKnouse”]
The last I heard they were FOUR trains unaccounted for, all of them passenger trains.
quote]
A source stated to me that East Japan RR will neither confirm or deny the 4 trains. Source said press has not really picked up on this possibility. Those trains automatically shut down during an earthquake and then the widespread power failure may (?) have stranded these 4(?) trains at a Tsunami prone location? Does anyone know the capacity of their trains?. Maybe we can speculate an 80% load and calculate the possible number of missing persons?
Maybe the trains stopped at a location that sunk and then Tsunami washed over them??
One of the Senseki Line EMUs has been found, all aboard are safe. From the aerial photo I saw it looks like the area was swept clean of buildings. Only the raised portion of a pedestrian overpass remains.
Just spoke to an in-law that receives products from Japan. Stated that their plant is on rolling electrical blackouts. All personell are OK . However he was scheduled to go to NE Japan last week but was changed at last minute…WHEW!!!
Now am wondering if the bullet trains will be slowed so as to not consume as much electricity? You on the west coast watch NBC date line. Shows several trains stacked up like toy trains.
Those in later time zones watch NBC dateline. Several pictures of trains scattered like our model trains.
[quote user=“blue streak 1”]
[quote user=“ButchKnouse”]
The last I heard they were FOUR trains unaccounted for, all of them passenger trains.
quote]
JR East reported yesterday that the 4 trains are still missing. However they state that all passengers and crew were evacuated before the Tsunami washed over the trains. If so – Whew that was close for those passengers.
A factoid that is going to cause JR east many headaches. The 6 reactors at the plant that were overrun by the Tsunami and their shutdown problems were one of Tokyo electric’s main 50 Hz generating plants. They along with a few other supply most of TE’s power in the eastern Japan. The western portion of Japan is 60 Hz so no way to interconnect the 2 systems. As to the dividing line between the 2 systems I have no idea. JR East does have one Hydro electric plant but have not ascertained it generating capacity?
It may be that the electric trains can operate on both frequencies but does anyone know for sure?
Could it be that some of the old narrow guage steam equipment that they use for tourist RR trips may be pressed into service? Anyone know if Japan has many standard guage diesl locos? May have to borrow a few from other countries? I would suggest only one model due to parts compatibility?