Y'know, I was wondering if this was going to happen. News kept saying how it was started by a train, blah blah. Ok, sure. So now UP is just going to get screwed regardless, because how could they prove otherwise? I actually feel bad for UP.
And I'm still jealous of that awesome brush machine. Post the pic again!! post it post it post it!!!!
Some of the work that I've done in that area involved cutting rail with a hydraulic rail saw... sparks flying everywhere. I wondered how easily that place would go up! We're very careful, of course, using spark shields, having pressured water cans, shovels, etc. If the spark indeed was caused by UP, then fine... the company makes enough damn money, a little fire isn't going to put a dent in their funds.
I worked on a fire out on I80, towards Tooele a few yrs ago. It was right by to that closed rest area... the fire was obviously started by a cigarette butt tossed out the window, then crept uphill, towards the tracks. The UHP blamed it on a passing train.
Makes me wonder how accurate their train-fire statistics are.
The machine pics are here-
http://www.rockymountainextreme.com/showpost.php?p=520161&postcount=9
It's called a brush cutter, but can bring down much more.
We had been working in a redrock canyon next to the Gunnison River recently, cutting sagebrush away from the track. Apparently there's some crossings that need to be cleared in Denver, so we're moving up there tomorrow and working this way. :-\
