On May 15, 2001, a CSX locomotive engineer was using Locomotive #8888 to move a string of
freight cars from track K12 to track D10 for departure on another train at Stanley Yard in
Walbridge, Ohio, CSX's primary
classification yard for
Toledo. Before leaving the cab, the engineer applied the locomotive's
independent air brake. During mainline operation, he would also have applied the automatic air brake, which would set the brakes in each of the train's cars. But, as is normal for intra-yard movements, the air brakes of the train were disconnected from the locomotive and thus were not functional. Furthermore, applying the locomotive's brakes disabled the train's
dead man's switch, which would otherwise have applied the train brakes and cut the engine power. The engineer climbed down from the cab, aligned the switch, and then attempted to reboard the accelerating locomotive. However, he was unable to do so and was dragged by #8888 for about , receiving minor cuts and abrasions. The train rolled out of the yard and began a journey south through northwest Ohio unmanned. Attempts to derail the train using a portable
derailer failed; the portable derailer was thrown off the track by the force of the train when struck. Police officers tried to starve the engine of diesel fuel and shut it down by shooting at the red fuel cutoff button, when three shots mistakenly hit the larger red fuel cap. This ultimately had no effect, because the buttons on former Conrail SD40-2s (like CSX #8888) must be pressed for several seconds before the switch is activated. A northbound freight train, Q636-15, was directed onto a
siding where the crew uncoupled its locomotive, CSX #8392 (another EMD SD40-2), and waited for the runaway train to pass. #8392 had a crew of two: Jess Knowlton, an engineer with 31 years of service; and Terry L. Forson, a conductor with about one year's experience. Together they chased the runaway train. An
EMD GP40-2, CSX locomotive #6008, was prepared farther down the line to couple to the front of the runaway to slow it further, if necessary. Knowlton and Forson successfully coupled onto the rear car and slowed the train by applying the dynamic brakes on the chase locomotive. Once the runaway had slowed to , CSX
trainmaster Jon Hosfeld ran alongside the train, climbed aboard, and shut down the engine. The train was stopped at the
Ohio State Route 31 crossing, just southeast of
Kenton, Ohio, before reaching locomotive #6008. All the brake shoes on #8888 had been completely burned off by the heat, since they had been applied all throughout the runaway trip. ==In film==