A runaway train is a type of railroad incident in which unattended rolling stock is accidentally allowed to roll onto the main line, a moving train loses enough braking power to be unable to stop in safety, or a train operates at unsafe speeds due to loss of operator control. If the uncontrolled rolling stock derails or hits another train, it will result in a train wreck. A dead man's control, if the brakes are working, can prevent unattended rolling stock from moving. A railway air brake can fail if valves on the pipe between each wagon are accidentally closed; the 1953 Pennsylvania Railroad train wreck and the 1988 Gare de Lyon train accident were results of a valve accidentally closed by the crew, reducing braking power. A parked train or cut off cars may also run away if not properly tied down with a sufficient number of hand brakes.
Incidents Accidents and incidents involving defective or improperly-set railway brakes include:
See also Dark territory Positive train control Railroad Safety Appliance Act Category:Runaway train disasters
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