Millipedes cause train crash?

[tom mann]

http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/09/04/millipedes-yes-millipedes-may-be-responsible-for-australian-train-crash/?iid=obnetwork

 

[nkalanaga]

The Rio Grande used to have problems with caterpillars on Cumbres Pass, so it wouldn't be surprising.  The problem there was getting enough traction to go up the hill, but if one can't get traction, the brakes won't work well either.

[C855B]

The Rio Grande used to have problems with caterpillars on Cumbres Pass, ...

Sounds familiar. I had a Caterpillar problem with my driveway a while back:



 

[Leggy]

Pretty big stick that guy's trying to shoo it away with!

[lock4244]

The ONT and other RR's in northern Ontario have had similar issue with tent caterpillars. Not sure if any resulted in collisions, but sliding through sidings has happened, iirc.

[davefoxx]

This reminds me of a story I once heard from a hobby shop owner in Richmond, Virginia.  He said that, as kids, they would go out to the Southern Ry. line and grease the rails on a hill.  Then, they would hide in the bushes and watch the fun.

DFF