Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Public Transportation and Smart Growth

mahatmakanejeeves

(60,949 posts) Sun Jul 24, 2022, 07:57 AM Jul 2022

On this day, July 24, 2013, a high-speed train derailed rounding a curve in Spain.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/July_24

• 2013 – A high-speed train derails in Spain rounding a curve with an 80 km/h (50 mph) speed limit at 190 km/h (120 mph), killing 78 passengers.

2 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

On this day, July 24, 2013, a high-speed train derailed rounding a curve in Spain. (Original Post) mahatmakanejeeves Jul 2022 OP

Fortunately for US .. Xoan Jul 2022 #1

The section of track where the derailment happened did not yet have the speed control system Hiawatha Pete Jul 2022 #2

Xoan

(25,430 posts)

1. Fortunately for US ..

Reply to mahatmakanejeeves (Original post)

Sun Jul 24, 2022, 08:26 AM

Jul 2022

we have no high-speed rail.

Hiawatha Pete

(1,961 posts)

2. The section of track where the derailment happened did not yet have the speed control system

Reply to mahatmakanejeeves (Original post)

Sun Jul 24, 2022, 09:05 AM

Jul 2022

installed which would have automatically put the train into braking mode in the event of an overspeed (since corrected).

A case of being in too much of a rush to implement higher train speeds before the signalling system could be suitably upgraded, IMHO.

HSR remains one of the safest modes by far, esp. when you consider Japan's Shinkansen has never had a single fatal accident in its over 60 year history.

Reply to this discussion