CSX 8888 Prior to its Rebuild Into SD40-3 locomotive 4389
CSX Transportation No. 8888 was an SD40-2 type diesel locomotive built by Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD) in September 1977, originally for Conrail as their No. 6410. When Conrail permanently ceased operations and split between CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern in June 1999, it was sold to CSX and renumbered to CSX 8888. On May 15, 2001, it was involved in a runaway train incident at Stanley Yard in Walbridge, OH. Following the incident, its brake shoes were completely burned off and it was also found that the air brakes on the locomotive were in full service braking mode and the dynamic brakes were working, but not set to braking mode at the time of the runaway.
After an investigation of the incident, the unnamed engineer, who was first hired by the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) in 1966, then promoted to engineer by the Penn Central Transportation Company in 1974, and then a check ride with a supervisor with CSX in January 2001, and with a clean job record, was fired from CSX. Eventually, after its brake shoes were replaced, it continued in regular freight service with CSX until being sidelined in 2014 for rebuilding as an SD40-3. Sadly, several railroad museums attempted to preserve the locomotive for its famous incident, but CSX stated that it just wasn't worthy for preservation. Ultimately, in 2017, it was rebuilt into an SD40-3 and renumbered to 4389. Following its rebuild, it is still in regular freight service with CSX as of today.
Trivia[]
- The locomotive's runaway incident in May 2001 was also known as the "Crazy Eights" incident and has even inspired the 2010 film, "Unstoppable", released by 20th Century Fox.
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