Chicagoist: Extra, Extra

joseph_dunphy_in_chicago

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:34:18 -0600

@Prescott: Now divide those three incidents by the very large number of times trains have travelled those tracks, and yes, Prescott, all is basically well. Your chances of being in an El crash are dwarfed by your chances of being in a car crash. But if you know of a risk free method of transportation, I'd love to hear about it. @ Jeremy. "Well, trains have likely never derailed in Chicago because of ice." Yes, I know, and I wasn't disputing that point, merely your characterization of what Jeremy's point was. Experience has long taught me that the perception that one's words have been twisted is where the worst flamewars come from, especially when the one who feels that his words have been twisted feels isolated, and I thought it best to intercept that one before it had a chance to get going. Any objection? Re: Slippage - Under the weight of the train, the ice would most likely quickly liquify and run out, the melting point of ice rising with the increased pressure under the wheels, so I imagine that this would be dynamically equivalent to the train running during a rainstorm, without the same visibility issues arising for the driver.

Prescott Carlson

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 15:34:53 -0600

OK, since my transportation knowledge is apparently lacking, I'll just stick with my assertion that the "equipment" looks like some half-assed high school science project. In the case of the El, one almost never sees that happen, so all is basically well Except for the big derailment on the Blue Line in 2006. And 2000. And the Red Line derailment in 2005. And of course the one in the Loop in the 70s.

Jeremy

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 12:44:54 -0600

Well, trains have likely never derailed in Chicago because of ice. And they've certainly never derailed because of ice on the third rail. And since the sign in the picture says "De-icing equipment for the third rail", I'd say that this system has nothing to do with keeping ice off of the main rails. So, this setup has nothing to do with keeping the trains on the rails. And mind you, with the immense weight of an L train, with steel wheels on a steel track, it's going to take a hell of a lot more than a little ice to make it get into a sliding condition where it can't slow down into a curve, especially since slow zones for track alignments are planned out to allow for safe operation.

Mr_Smith

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 00:12:25 -0600

Every campus has that holiday where every year students get shit-faced... Mine didn't, unless you're referring to the holidays we called "The Weekend" or "Thursday."

joseph_dunphy_in_chicago

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 23:06:21 -0600

@Jeremy I think you're not understanding Prescott's concern. I'm sure that he knows that something as massive as an El car isn't going to be knocked off the track by a breeze. His worry, I think, is that the train will hit a slippery patch and not be able to slow down as quickly as it needs to, say prior to hitting a curve. Were you under the impression that trains never derailed? Because, sad to say, that very much is not the case. In the case of the El, one almost never sees that happen, so all is basically well, but his concern, if I've understood it correctly, really isn't as silly as you make it sound.

Jeremy

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 22:48:22 -0600

@Prescott: Gravity keeps the train on the rails. The de-icing just makes sure that the electricity gets from the rail to the contacts on the train. @Unofficial St. Pats: Man, I miss that holiday. That was the only time in my life that I was at a bar from opening to close. But, if I hadn't been so shitfaced, I would have been bored.

joseph_dunphy_in_chicago

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 21:55:59 -0600

As long as it gets the job done ... how many train crashes does one hear about in Chicago?

Prescott Carlson

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 21:35:19 -0600

What, does McGuyver work for the CTA? I guess I was naively thinking there was something a bit more high tech in place to keep my train from slipping off the rails.

Spav1

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 20:27:56 -0600

Best part of that article? The use of the term "beer riots". Every campus has that holiday where every year students get shit-faced...and then someone dies and it is sad, but everyone had so much fun. See you next year! And then it turns into, OMG, last year got so crazy some girl DIED. Only adds to the legend.

joseph_dunphy_in_chicago

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 19:14:23 -0600

"Attention, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign students: Your chancellor wants to cancel "unofficial St. Patrick's Day." That's a holiday strictly dedicated to getting shitfaced, FYI." And good luck with that. Let's see ... universities have been trying to curtail drinking by their under 21 students for how long, now?