What happens when a 4400 HP motor lets go

[joe74ta]

This is Canadian National Locomotive number 2699. It is a 212 ton, 6 axle machine powered by a 183 liters 4400 hp V16 4 stroke diesel.


Shortly before this picture was taken, whilst working under load, 2699 experienced what is known in the trade as a catastrophic uncontained engine failure. The train was passing the town of Independence, Louisiana at the time.

The first picture below shows that one of the 16 cylinder packs that form the engine was ejected through the engine bay body side and thrown clear of the locomotive. In addition to this the piston from that cylinder was thrown free by the force of the failure. It was ejected so violently that it travelled through the air and crashed through the roof of a nearby home where it imbedded itself in an interior wall.

[Gene]

Wow....thats amazing....even see the piston rings and the oil spatter.....would love to read the insurance claim....'well....I was sitting in my lounge when part of a piston came a visiting......no sir....I haven't been drinking....it entered the house through my roof'

[bonnevista]

Wow....thats amazing....even see the piston rings and the oil spatter.....would love to read the insurance claim....'well....I was sitting in my lounge when part of a piston came a visiting......no sir....I haven't been drinking....it entered the house through my roof'

Yeah, it's the third time it's happened this month!!