I can’t believe this. Another CSX Coductor killed. This is the second time I heard about a CSX Conductor being killed in a short time period. A similar accident occured in my area in Philadelphia when a CSX conductor was killed in Philadelphia while he was tying down his train back in late September. (I am not sure if thats is the way you spell tying in railroad terms). I hope this person did not suffer after being trapped under the car. This is one of the true dangers of working on the railroad. Derailments can be deadly.
I’m very sorry to hear about this… I trust an investigation will be conducted to learn the cause so that preventative measures may be improved.
Our prayers and condolances go to the family.
stay safe
joe
In the Philadelphia incident. The Conductor had dismounted from his locomotive consist on #1 track and was walking in the guage of #2 track over a small bridge with no walkway with is back toward the oncoming train. The noise from his own locomotive consist made the oncoming trains locomotive consist blend into the overall noise level and thus he did not hear the oncoming train which was complying with all rules for meeting a train on line of road.
In the Decatur, AL incident it appears the conductor made a cut on his train to perform station work. The remaining portion of the train was left in a fouling position for a movement over the switch with other equipment. When that subsequent move was made, the movement side-swiped the fouling portion of the train and turned over several cars, one of which the conductor was riding.
The railroad operating enviornment is not forgiving when employees make mistakes.
Be alert for any movement, in any direction on any track at any time.
RIP to the deceased.
Modern railroading is as safe as it’s ever been, accidents and fatalities are minimal compared to what it was even 50 years ago. But even so, in the last 4 months I’ve seen one man get electrocuted on catenary wires and another die from bloodloss due to a “traumatic amputation” caused by being too close to a high speed commuter. Even today a moments inattention will be fatal- you are the softest thing out on the rails.
My prayers are with the families of the conductors. These workers were just trying to make a living and never expected to come home that day in a box. God’s peace upon them.
Railroading is by nature a dangerous and unforgiving job…Make a mindless mistake one of three things can happen,1)You will be killed.2)You will lose a arm or leg.3)If you survive without injury you will remember the mistake you live to tell about.
Remember Safety begins with YOU.
Very sad indeed; I live in North Alabama but was not able to get a read on the cause. BaltACD, are you saying that the cut was made too close to the switch that they were to back into and work? If so, would not the conductor have been the one to spot the cut and throw the switch, assuming a normal road job two man crew? I am wondering if this was a yard engine job with a three man crew. Decatur, AL has a lot of rail served industry; I am sure there are several switching jobs there.I did read the victim was 28 yrs old, what a shame.
Northtowne
Road job, 2 man crew and your assumptions are in explicably correct.
I have applied for CSX as a Freight Conductor in Philadelphia. Iam only 19. I’m starting to think that I might join the list of conductors killed if I am not careful.My parents will not like to hear this. They might think twice about me applying for this type of job.
Your safety on the railroad begins with you!
Might I add: 4.) You will kill or injure someone else.
Nah, don’t sweat it. You are far more at risk during the drive to work for any job, than you are while at work (even railroading).