This is why you always check your loading cables

[dhlawrence]

A shipload of diesels was being unloaded at a port in Gabon. Someone didn't check the loading cables before picking it up. Back to the shops!

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Comments

[anthony_lion]

Now, that looked slightly expensive... ;-)

[marmoe]

Trying to save money at the wrong end. Ouch. I'm not sure, whether any parts can be reasonably salvaged, given the cost of disassembly and inspection that you'd need to do. Could be a complete loss. Any idea how much (order of magnitude) this locomotive costs?

[dhlawrence]

Not sure; I tried looking it up but couldn't find anything.

I imagine parts can be salvaged but the frame is a loss. Same inside; engine components can be replaced but the engine block is probably scrap.

[ccdesan]

Ouch. I'm glad no one was standing underneath that thing. From where I'm sitting, based on the shredding, it looks as though the cable totally failed - would something like that be visible even if the cables had been inspected?

On the other hand, it's Africa - they might just go ahead and use the thing anyway.

[deckardcanine]

Isn't Gabon one of the wealthiest African countries? Eh, that's not saying much.

You'd need a severe lack of self-preservation to stand under the train under any circumstances.

[dewhitton]

The cable may not have been lift-rated - it looked fine but was not strong enough.

[torakiyoshi]

That's one diesel engine that will never drive again! I'm glad no one was near it trying to direct the crane driver!

[thefoxaroo]

Did a bit of searching but haven't been able to turn up anything other than this being mentioned on forums by other equally curious individuals.

I agree with what everyone else has said here, and that very sadly this locomotive will end up being canabalised if not completely scrapped.

[dhlawrence]

On the bright side, more work for your countrymen; this model is assembled by the successor to Clyde Engineering.

[thefoxaroo]

AKA Downer EDI, stock code DOW and one of our clients.

I was wondering about who built the loco after an Aussie placed a comment to that effect in the video's entry on Youtube, however even now I still have not been able to find any solid information. Have you come across anything mentioned about whether or not the recipients can afford a replacement?

A shame either way; brand new locomotive ruined. There's an apt piece of dialogue from World of Warcraft that I can adapt here: "The locomotive sits silent, its chance to run gone."

[dhlawrence]

I would imagine it is insured, though I don't know whose policy would pay--the owners, the ship, or the harbour.