Month: June 2024

Broken Bolt Blamed for Oregon Train Derailment

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Tsamouris, the Fastener Specialists©

In June 2016, a broken bolt sent a Union Pacific train carrying volatile crude oil hurtling off the tracks in the
Columbia River Gorge, spilling 42,000 gallons (158,987 liters) and forcing the evacuation of the nearby town
of Mosier, Oregon, United States. The accident was caused by at least one broken bolt holding the rail in
place, according to a report filed by the company with the Federal Railroad Administration.

The broken bolt, which is unique to curved sections of track, failed despite the train traveling at 26 mph (42
km/h) in a 30 mph (48 km/h) zone. As a result of the accident, Union Pacific checked similar bolts in curved
sections of its 32,000 mi (51,499 km) of track across 23 states. The company also replaced bolts in the
derailment area with heavier duty ones and increased inspections in the Columbia River Gorge from once
every 18 months to four times a year.

The derailment, which caused no injuries, raised concerns about the risks associated with transporting
crude oil by rail.

At Tsamouris, we understand the critical role that quality fasteners play in ensuring the safety and reliability
of transportation infrastructure.

Bahco’s Inaugural Washington State Pruning Competition

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Tsamouris, the Hand Tools Specialists©

In a thrilling display of skill and precision, 17 professional pruners from across Washington, DC, gathered at
the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates WSU Wine Science Center in Richland on March 9, 2024, for the first-ever
Washington State Pruning Competition. The event, a collaboration between Bahco, the leading
manufacturer of cutting tools and professional horticulture equipment, and Washington State University’s
Viticulture and Enology Program, aimed to honor the unnoticed heroes of the agricultural industry.

Pruning, a crucial task in winemaking that involves removing excess wood from vines to promote fruit
development and overall vine health, requires a keen eye and steady hand. The competition put the pruners’
abilities to the test, with judges evaluating the precision of their grapevine cuts, including the angle,
proximity to buds, and other key criteria.

Shaw Vineyards, the largest grower in Washington’s Red Mountain AVA, dominated the event, with their
employees sweeping the top three spots in both the men’s and women’s categories. The winners received
an impressive array of prizes, including cash, silver belt buckles, and specially crafted golden secateurs,
while all contestants took home Bahco pruning tools.

At Tsamouris, we are proud to offer Bahco’s world-class hand tools in Greece, designed for long-term use
and optimum performance.

The success of the inaugural Washington State Pruning Competition has set the stage for an even bigger
and better event in 2025.

University of Nebraska Engineer Researching Causes and Solutions to Bolt Loosening

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Tsamouris, the Fastener Specialists©

Keegan Moore, a University of Nebraska–Lincoln engineer, is on a mission to solve one of the most puzzling
problems in mechanics: why bolts loosen over time. With a USD 727,410 (EUR 671,210) grant from the U.S.
National Science Foundation, Moore is investigating the causes and solutions to this issue that has led to
numerous accidents, from train derailments to oil spills.

Loose bolts pose a threat not only in high-profile accidents but also in everyday life, affecting school
facilities, cars, and even the James Webb Space Telescope. Despite the widespread use of bolts, little is
understood about how a structure’s dynamics influence their loosening during normal operation.

Moore’s research focuses on rotational loosening caused by vibrations. Using high-speed cameras and
modeling frameworks, he aims to uncover how the interface contact conditions around the bolt hole change
as the bolt loosens and the structure shakes. This could lead to predictive maintenance strategies that target
specific problem areas, offering a more efficient approach to monitoring aging infrastructure.

Giant Bolts Replaced on London’s Tower Bridge for the First Time in Decades

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Tsamouris, the Fastener Specialists©

In October 2023, London’s Tower Bridge underwent an important maintenance operation, as four massive
nose bolts, each measuring two meters long, were replaced for the first time in decades.

These bolts play a vital role in locking the bridge’s moving parts, known as bascules, in place when lowered
to allow traffic and pedestrians to cross the 129-year-old structure.
The City Bridge Foundation, a 900-year-old charity responsible for maintaining Tower Bridge and four other

Thames crossings, carried out the complex operation during overnight closures to minimize disruption to
the 40,000 people and 21,000 vehicles that use the bridge daily.

At Tsamouris, we understand the critical role that fasteners play in ensuring the structural integrity of high availability
structures with moving parts like the Tower Bridge — it is inevitable that we will see wear and
tear, but carrying out planned work like this avoids the need for more disruptive and costly repairs further
down the line.