Decomposed > I hear that kids think it's fun to put pennies on the tracks...
Hey De,
While looking up this urban legend, It appears that it is quite impossible to derail a train with a penny. But I did find this :
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http://www.straightdope.com/21343047/will-a-penny-on-the-tracks-derail-a-train
SDStaff Jillgat replies:
Before we go on, here’s a picture of one of the earrings my brother made for me from pennies he set on the track and had flattened by a train. We used to do this all the time.
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I was aghast to read on the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) website that there were 2,059 train derailments in 2000, up from 1,741 in 1997. There are close to 2,000 derailments every year, in spite of the fact that most heavily used tracks are inspected visually several times a week and examined monthly with an ultrasound device to find hidden defects. Inspection focuses mostly on tracks that carry passengers and hazardous materials. The majority of derailments occur in railroad yards, typically at speeds of around 5 miles an hour. Yard track isn’t as well maintained and cars are frequently jostled during switching, which sometimes leads to derailments. The FRA is continually working on improving track inspection methods and ways to improve train safety. But they’re understaffed with only 550 people to make sure the industry is adequately checking 230,000 miles of track.
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(Article does continue. Zim. Also, no picture of the flattened penny earrings.)
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