Robert Swinney wrote:
www.tornado1.wmv

Amazing video! Only a RR person would appreciate this; but the final scene was of the broken-off
rear part of the train which continued down the track to collide with the front half. Normally,
when a train breaks in two like that one, automatic air brakes are applied to both portions.
Theoretically, both halves should come to full "emergency stop" to prevent a reconnect disaster like
that one.
Air brakes don't work that well when the wheels
are off the track! If you look down below the
tank car, the sparks seem to indicate at least
several cars of the rear portion have derailed.

Jon