What is 1994 cajon pass runaway?

The 1994 Cajon Pass Runaway was a railway incident that occurred on February 1, 1994, in the Cajon Pass of California, United States. A Southern Pacific Railway train, consisting of three locomotives and 99 cars, lost control while descending the steep Cajon Pass grade, reaching a speed of 110 miles per hour. The train eventually collided with another train parked on a siding, resulting in a massive explosion, fire, and several fatalities.

The cause of the runaway train was initially thought to be a problem with the brakes. However, later investigations revealed that a faulty coupler had caused the train to separate and derail, resulting in the loss of control. The incident resulted in a significant impact on the railway industry's safety regulations, with several stricter measures implemented to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

The 1994 Cajon Pass Runaway is considered one of the deadliest railroad accidents in the United States, with six people losing their lives and more than twenty others injured. The incident was also the subject of the 1996 movie, Runaway Train, starring Jon Voight.