AVRail 288 Accident

AVRail 288 Accident

Overview

The 1985 AVRail 288 train derailment was an incident involving a single 20-car inter-county train loaded with 503 people during the lunchtime rush hour of June 3rd, 1985, in the Crespin Grove Railway Station due to a lubrication and brake malfunction. The train derailed as it crossed the switches before the station, wrecking when the derailed car collided with the platform and ceiling supports for the open-air portion of the station. The forward cars of the train derailed inside, causing a diesel fuel fire that consumed most of said forward railcars. 339 people were killed on the train and on the platform through the actual wreck and the following fire. The incident was the first involving the Dakerstown rail system that resulted in more than 50 fatalities and remains as the deadliest incident that occurred in the system.

Background

The Quicksilver was a popular inter-continental train in the 1940s, but strong competition with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad[1] forced the train to become the premier inter-county train of Dakerstown in the mid to late 20th Century. The train's popularity waned in the sixties as motor vehicles became more affordable and the city bus system was implemented. It was halted altogether in early 1986 after it crashed in 1985. It usually consisted of A and B units of an EMD F7[2] locomotive, 2 luggage cars, 1 sleeper car, 1 observation car, 2 dining cars, and 4 passenger cars, one with a glass ceiling for observation. The train was aluminum silver and sported a navy blue lightning bolt that started on the nose of the A unit and ended on the rear observation car.

The train was well known for its exemplary service, and at one time was the pride of Dakerstown. The train had flawless operation and safety records up until the accident, successfully carrying thousands of passengers a year without any significant injuries. The Quicksilver is also distinguished as the first cross-county passenger train service that had taken steps to ensure that people with disabilities could ride the train; a select few of her cars had wheelchair accommodations for boarding and disembarking, and wheelchair-compatible restroom facilities.

The train held a perfect maintenance and safety record, with no serious injuries or accidents ever having been recorded. The train began operation in 1923, with a Challenger locomotive and pullman passenger cars. In the 50's the service was updated with the diesels and more modern passenger cars. By 1984, the diesels and cars were deemed out of date and were slated for replacement in December 1985, the train's slowest month.

Accident

327 on board and 12 in the station were killed.

Aftermath

Because of this accident The Crespin Grove Railway Station was highly renovated, in order to prevent deaths if any similar accidents ever occurred.