As I seem to recall, he had already been disciplined for some infraction. Although the infraction might have been for something unrelated, and running through a yard switch isn’t the same as running through a main track switch, it can increase the chance for more severe discipline. I can think of a few fatal incidents over the years because a trainman/switchman was trying to prevent an incident that could get them fired or permanently terminated. (On the railroad “fired” is used for what others would call a suspension. Terminated or dismissed is a permanent condition, unless an arbitrator overturns the dismissal.)
There have been some officials who have said the best employee is one who’s afraid for their job. That’s a bunch of BS.
Jeff