Mayday S03E12 - Runaway Train

Episode Overview

On May 12, 1989, a freight train consisting of 69 cars loses control while navigating California's Cajon Pass, ultimately derailing in a San Bernardino neighborhood at speeds surpassing 100 miles per hour (160 km/h). The initial crash claims the lives of two local residents and two crew members. Over a week later, a ruptured underground gasoline pipeline, damaged during the cleanup, ignites, resulting in two additional fatalities. A clerical mistake had led to a significant underestimation of the train's weight, and it was configured with insufficient locomotives for proper braking. Moreover, several engines were equipped with non-functional brakes, a critical detail not communicated to the crews.

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