The Good news:  It was a normal day in Sharon Springs , KS

when a Union Pacific crew boarded a loaded coal train

for the long trek to Salina .

The Bad news:  Just a few miles into the trip a wheel bearing became

overheated and melted, letting a metal support drop down and grind on the rail,

creating white hot molten metal droppings spewing down to the rail.

The Good news:  A very alert crew noticed smoke about halfway back in the train

and immediately stopped the train in compliance with the rules.

The Bad news:  The train stopped with the hot wheel over a wooden bridge

with creosote ties and trusses.

(In defense of the crew, according to Sixgun Jr., the crew tried to

’splain to higher-ups, but were instructed not to move the damn train!)

RULES IS RULES!

(But, don’t let common sense get in the way of a good disaster!)