Two KCS trains collided in Jackson, MS at approximately 9am local time according to local press reports. The collision apparently was at speed and both trains are now piled up and burning. Local fire, police and ambulance have responded in numbers. Early reports from the scene suggest fatalities or serious injuries to both crews. Unknown civilian involvement.
LC
So far nothing on MSNBC or Fox or CNN [:(]
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Originally posted by Limitedclear
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LC, how did you hear about this? Do you have site or link for local news?
Dale, thanks for site. Thoughts and prayers for those involved and their families. And a one way ticket straight to **** for those resposible.
Dont see why they weould need to many ambulances[B)] From the sound of it all they need is bodybags and fire trucks[V]
Still nothing on any of the major news channels [:o)][8)]
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Originally posted by Limitedclear
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www.thejacksonchannel.com has a short story on this crash. No fatals but doesn’t sound good.
That dosent sound too good
With modern signalling, how does that still happen. I would expect that kind of thing to be happening in the early years of railroading but not now. Sounds like a dispatcher foul-up to me.
The Associated Press quotes a KCS spokesman as saying that all five crew taken to hospitals with non-life threatening injuries, and that no haz mats were involved.
I dont believe it. Both crews would have had to join the birds. (Jump off) Desiel fuel is still hazmat to me.
I hope for the best but a head on in today’s world seems really like… wow who is reponsible?
Search “Kansas City Southern” on Google. Some conflicting information on the condition of two crew members. Some reported they are in critical condiition while other reports state that all five crew members have non-life threatening injuries.
Jay
This is heartbreaking.
I pray for the crew members and their worried families.
It’s 2005 and we’re still having head-on collisions. So much for the prediction by 1980s “experts” that technology would eliminate train collisions by 2000.
Just saw pix on MSNBC. Heavily wooded area. Fuel fire. Naturally cars derailed. [:(][:(]
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Originally posted by Limitedclear
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The updated AP story says KCS still saying no one critically hurt, but the fire chief says two are seriously injured. Also most cars are reported to be empty.
I really do hate to say this but, human error will always be the number one factor in railroad related problems, it always has been since rails were once straped to the new and exciting welded technology. A railroad can invest tons of money in safety equipment and improvements in railroad technology but, not even the best systems in the world are great because, of that little factor of human error. We’re not perfict [V]
While in this day and age it may be surprising, there is a great amount of Class I rail milage that is still not signaled today. These portions of the railroads are normally operated under Direct Traffic Control (DTC) or Track Warrent types of operation.
Where a signal system is in use, it is virtually impossible for a Dispatcher to cause a head on collision - at speed. The design of signal system will not permit it. For a dispacther to have fault in this situation, he would have to have improperly given a train permission to pass a Stop Signal and under the rules a train that gets permission to pass a Stop Signal must proceed at Restricted Speed (a speed that will permit stopping withing 1/2 the range of vision - not to exceed 15 MPH).
Most likley, if this accident occured ‘at speed’, I occured in DTC or TW territory where for the most part, signals if used only indiciate the position of switches and convey no other block or movement authority. Mistakes that occur in DTC or TW territory can be either Dispatcher or Train Crew responsibility. The compter aided dispatching system, if their procedures are followed will not permit granting overlaping authorities, however the PROCEEDURES MUST BE FOLLOWED TO THE LETTER BY ALL PARTIES. Dispatchers have been known to give the movement authority before having the proper protections in place. Train Crews have been known to repeat authorities incorrectly and not have the mistake caught by the dispatcher. Train Crews have been known to have violated their authority.
The truth of this incident will come out…EVENTUALLY!
Got a call and got the early story off the Clarion Ledger site.
LC
I will pray for the crews and thier families. thanks for the links.
stay safe
joe