Re: WP&Y Derailment Photo

I have seen spring switches and derails that are nothing more than a simple spring. Look at Dick Bell's photo. You can see the "mechanical switchman" which is a spring and hydraulic cylinder assembly common on mainline railroads. The hydraulic system acts as a shock absorber and slows the points return to normal position to limit damage and wear.

Trailing movements through spring switches aren't usually a concern, unless you try backing up from the diverging route while in the middle of the switch.

Facing point movements are another issue. These are usually connected to switch circuit controllers that will set the signals to red if the points aren't fully in the normal position. In other locations, a switch point indicator will show if the switch in is proper position. Obviously White Pass doesn't have any signals, and I don't see any evidence of a switch point indicator. So the operating rules should require that trains approach facing point spring switches prepared to stop short unless known to be in proper position.

Assuming there wasn't a mechanical failure, best bet is the points were slightly open, the train did not stop short and hit the ground. US rules require restricted speed not to exceed 20 mph, and the distance traveled uphill suggests to me that they were either doing close to that or the engineer did not immediately big hole the brakes.

At this point it is all speculation, but even a single photo in this case clearly suggests what probably happened and the possible causes.