Need help with train derailment speed

[LMoyer]

I am writing an historical mystery book that includes a train derailment. I have loosely used the famous derailment in Henryetta, OK, in 1929, for some of the details. In your opinions, would a train traveling only about 20 mph derail if the switch was cocked? Would it result in the engine and forward passenger cars tipping onto their sides? Or do you think the train would need to be going faster for this type of thing to occur? Thanks for your help.

 

[CGW101c]

Railroad cars have tipped over at 5 MPH. Just depends on the terrain. Heavy locomotive could force the rails and anything could happen. Probably would only work if the switch points were not all the way over and the train was going toward the points. If the water in the engine was low the whole thing would probably blow up and kill everybody so the story would end there. Those of us who have operated steam locomotives don't like to think about that kinda stuff though. Too much death and destruction in the world already. Happy New Year!! Probably deeper thought than we need right now. Answers....yes, yes and no.

 

[bcp]

(CGW101c wrote)
"Probably would only work if the switch points were not all the way over and the train was going toward the points."

That's what happened here at probably 10-15 mph, on a switch that was not fully to one side.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nort...-problem-white-pass-and-yukon-route-1.2722963

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/train-derails-on-historic-yukon-to-alaska-railway-1.2716668

https://o.canada.com/news/popular-t...st-alaska-minor-injuries-of-9-people-reported

Bruce

 

[Bill Anderson]

Scroll to 4:35 to see the "fakiest" derailment scene ever shown on TV.