Gripping forensic tales explain how and why trains crash. Trains are massive—with some weighing 15,000 tons or more. When these metal monsters collide or go off the rails, their destructive power becomes clear. In this book, George Bibel presents riveting tales of trains gone wrong, the detective work of finding out why, and the safety improvements that were born of tragedy. Train Wreck details numerous crashes, including 17 in which more than 200 people were killed. Readers follow investigators as they sift through the rubble and work with computerized event recorders to figure out what happened. Using a mix of eyewitness accounts and scientific explanations, Bibel draws us into a world of forensics and human drama. Train Wreck is a fascinating exploration of • runaway trains • bearing failures • metal fatigue • crash testing • collision dynamics • bad rails

This report examines materials research programs across all operating Administrations within the U.S. Department of Transportation. It is the department's first report on ongoing and planned research and technology efforts in advanced materials. The report was published in support of the Administration's initiative to establish an integrated program of research designed to enhance the performance and longevity of the Nation's transportation infrastructure. It is intended to provide the department's customers with a consolidated report of materials-related research projects. The report highlights opportunities for joint research and near-term applications of advanced materials technologies.