Rail accident bangs up 737 piece en route

A Boeing 737 fuselage -- on its way by rail from Wichita to Renton, Wash., for final assembly -- was damaged when it was sideswiped by an empty logging car on a passing train.

A bent spoke on the empty car "extensively damaged the aft end" of the fuselage, Boeing spokesman Dick Ziegler said.

The incident occurred early Saturday in Helena, Mont.

The Burlington Northern Santa Fe train carrying two Boeing fuselages was westbound when it was sideswiped by the eastbound train.

The fuselage is returning to Wichita for repair. It was expected to arrive sometime Tuesday, Ziegler said.

Boeing has not determined how long it will take to fix the damaged fuselage or the cost.

While it's not the first time a fuselage has been damaged in transit, "it's a very uncommon occurrence," he said.

Boeing and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway do an extensive job of planning routes, timing and speeds, Ziegler said.

Fonte: Molly McMillin (Kansas.com - 08/12/2004)