UNION PACIFIC TRAIN ACCIDENTS
| LAX 97 FR 004 Derailment Union Pacific Railroad Kelso, California January 12, 1997 |
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On January 12, 1997, about 11:52 a.m., Pacific standard time, a Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP) unit freight train 6205 west derailed 68 cars on the UP Los Angeles Subdivision, milepost 238.7, near Kelso, California. The train consisted of 3 locomotives units and 75 loaded covered hopper cars. While descending Cima Hill, the engineer inadvertently activated the multiple-unit engine shutdown switch, which shut down all the locomotive unit diesel engines and eliminated the train’s dynamic braking capability. The train rapidly accelerated beyond the 20-mph authorized speed limit despite the engineer’s efforts to increase the train’s air braking, which the engineer placed in emergency 1 minute and 2 seconds after dynamic braking loss. The train’s consist weight was listed at an average of 13 tons per car less than the train actually weighed. The train eventually reached a speed of 72 mph and derailed 68 of its 75 cars while exiting a siding near Kelso, California. No fatalities, injuries, fires, or hazardous materials releases resulted from the accident.
INJURY TABLE
| Injury Type | Train Crew on 6205 West | Others | TOTAL |
| FATAL | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SERIOUS | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MINOR | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The major safety issues that emerged from the investigation of this accident are:
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