San Bernardino Train Crash: What Caused This 100mph Runaway Train?

A catastrophic train derailment in San Bernardino, California, on May 12, 1989, leads to the deaths of four people and the destruction of several homes. Southern Pacific freight train 7551 East, carrying an estimated 3.5 million kilos of cargo, lost control while descending the steep Cajon Pass. The train, which was supposed to be under control, accelerated to speeds exceeding 160 kilometers per hour before derailing, causing widespread devastation in the town.

Investigators later determined that a series of miscalculations and mechanical failures contributed to the disaster. The train's air brakes, which were supposed to slow it down, overheated and became ineffective, while crucial dynamic brakes were not functioning properly. Additionally, the weight of the cargo was grossly underestimated, leading to a train that was significantly heavier than anticipated. The combination of these factors created a situation where the engineer, Frank Holland, believed he had sufficient braking power, but in reality, he did not.

In the aftermath of the derailment, a gas pipeline running beneath the area was also compromised, leading to a massive explosion just days later, which killed two more people and destroyed additional homes. Investigators found that the pipeline had been damaged during cleanup operations following the train wreck. The National Transportation Safety Board concluded that both disasters were preventable and highlighted the need for improved safety protocols and communication within the rail industry. The events left a lasting scar on the community, with many families choosing to relocate in the wake of the tragedies.

On May 12, 1989, Southern Pacific freight train 7551 rocketed down California’s Cajon Pass at over 100 mph before derailing into a San Bernardino neighborhood. Caused by fatal weight miscalculations and failing brakes, the crash killed four people and destroyed seven homes. But thirteen days later, a second catastrophe struck the exact same street when a damaged underground pipeline ruptured, igniting a massive inferno. This documentary investigates the series of tragic human errors, mechanical failures, and oversight lapses that led to one of the most disastrous chain reactions in American transportation history.You can now become a History Hit member right here on YouTube! Join for access to a new exclusive documentary every week, and access to over 160+ of our documentaries presented by world renowned historians like Dan Snow, Eleanor Janega, Tristan Hughes, Mary Beard, Matt Lewis and more.Get an exclusive release every week by signing up here: https://bit.ly/4pyExynThis channel is part of the History Hit Network. Any queries, please contact [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices