Rope, Diesel, and Zero Safety: The Rail Stunt That Shocked the Internet

Argentina just gave the rail world a masterclass in what not to do. A viral video of a locomotive towed by rope—with workers standing dangerously close—has sparked a global debate over railway safety and basic common sense.

A viral video from Argentina showing rail workers towing a derailed locomotive using a rope has triggered outrage and alarm across social media platforms, with commentators raising concerns about the potentially life-threatening risks involved. The footage, widely shared on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter), shows a stationary locomotive—identified as A614—being dragged forward using a taut rope tied to another engine, while multiple workers stand dangerously close to the tension line.

The locomotive belongs to Trenes Argentinos and is an EMD G12W diesel model, part of a fleet designed by Electro-Motive Division (EMD) for international export. Observers quickly identified the visible safety risks in the video, particularly the proximity of crew members to the rope under high tension—a situation that, according to workplace safety experts, could be fatal if the rope were to snap.

"This Could Cut a Man in Half": Industry Veterans Weigh In

The clip prompted a flurry of critical responses online. "They’re pulling it like a toy duck," wrote one user, summing up the general mood of disbelief. Others referenced older locomotive models like the Soviet-built Sergei, long regarded for their reliability and ability to handle even the toughest loads. One post read: "If a Sergei was here, this wouldn’t have turned into a circus."

The footage appears to capture an emergency situation following a derailment, where traditional coupling methods may not have been available. However, commenters questioned whether such a makeshift method met even basic safety standards, especially with personnel standing directly next to a potentially lethal tension point.

Numerous experienced railway and industrial workers joined the discussion, warning about the dangers of standing near a taut towing line. "I worked a decade in heavy industry—this is the kind of thing that kills people, not pulls trains," one user remarked. Others recalled real-life accidents involving snapped ropes, including a chilling story where a broken tow cable smashed through a vehicle window, severely injuring the driver. Such incidents are unfortunately not rare. Safety professionals say that when under extreme stress, ropes or cables can recoil with deadly force, especially when used in unregulated or improvised conditions.

Workplace Safety Experts Call for Immediate Investigation

Safety regulations around the world—including those in the EU—explicitly warn against standing in the line of force when towing equipment is under tension. According to safety documentation, workers must never remain in the extended path of taut ropes, particularly in forestry or machinery towing contexts. Similar warnings appear in various publications, including scenarios where snapped recovery cables have caused severe or fatal injuries.

A recent article in BOZP Magazín described a case where a snapped towing cable "launched itself like a projectile,: resulting in fatal consequences for both the towing and towed vehicle operators. The situation in Argentina, critics say, showed a dangerous lack of adherence to these well-known safety principles.

Rope Towing: A Rare and Risky Method in Rail Transport

In railway operations, towing locomotives with ropes is highly unusual and considered a method of last resort, typically only used when standard coupling systems are unavailable. In the case shown in the video, the locomotive appears to have derailed, possibly making the use of its coupler impossible.

However, even in emergencies, railway safety protocols recommend extreme caution—and above all, the clear evacuation of personnel from high-risk zones. The decision to use a rope, particularly in such an ad hoc setup and under public scrutiny, has led to calls for a formal investigation into Argentina’s rail safety oversight.