NTSB Number RAR-02/02
NTIS Number PB2002-916302
PDF Document(1MB)

Executive Summary: About 7:00 a.m. on January 30, 2000, eastbound loaded CSX Transportation (CSXT) coal train V986-26 lost effective braking while descending a section of track known as “17-mile grade” from Altamont to Bloomington, Maryland, and derailed 76 of its 80 “bathtub” high-side gondola cars when the train failed to negotiate curves at excessive speed. The derailed cars destroyed a nearby occupied residence, killing a 15-year-old boy and seriously injuring his mother. Three other occupants of the residence escaped with little or no injury. Track and equipment damages were estimated to be in excess of $3.2 million. There was no resulting fire or hazardous materials release.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the January 30, 2000, derailment of CSX Transportation train V986-26 near Bloomington, Maryland, was the railroad’s practice of including dynamic braking in determining maximum authorized speed without providing the engineer with real-time information on the status of the dynamic braking system.

The safety issues addressed in the report include:
 

• The determination and designation of maximum authorized train speeds with sufficient safety margins to ensure that a train can be stopped by the air brake system alone.
• Locomotive engineer support and training.
• Engineer knowledge of the condition of the dynamic braking system before and during use.

As a result of its investigation of this accident, the Safety Board makes safety recommendations to CSX Transportation and all class I railroads.