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NTSB: Amtrak engineer not on cell phone before crash
Not surprised. All things considered, he did throw the emergency brake before the crash. I still think he was distracted by his train being hit by a brick. Wouldn’t be the first time something like that happened along that section of the RoW. Wouldn’t even be the first time that night (or the last for that matter).
John Simpson, I wonder if anyone has ever really investigated the problem of rock throwing at trains in this area? For example, is there a favorite place the rock throwers like to attack from? If there is, could something be done to neutralize that? Years ago, some attackers would suspend a concrete block, the kind used to build house foundations, on a rope from a highway overpass so the trains would hit the block as they passed underneath. Does that still happen?
The location is Frankford Junction, not Franklin Junction, but that error has propagated in the mainstream press, too.
I can see how it would take awhile to make this determination.
Occasionally, over the years I have noticed heavy wire screening installed over the windshields of certain locomotives. Does anyone know if this is common practice on the NEC ? I agree that any rock throwing may have been a factor, and indeed if it was the case, we will eventually find out, and the investigation will reveal it.
Without any research, except my grey matter (Poirot), The gratings were unique. Only the Mass. Bay Transit engines wore the freakin’ ugly things.
I think about that when I think about my niece, her wife and their two children.
Their home is in Jamaica Plain and both work in Boston.
JS, “distracted by his train being hit by a brick.” Bricks, rocks, spikes and bullets, they are nearly everyday impacts…B T, D T.
GEB; “Does that still happen?” It seems to me I read about an incident but a duplication I believe was extremely rare.
Gunshots…much more common.
Gene Miramon was sprayed by shot that hit the ceiling of his FM TM down at Rucker.
A 6 inch triangle of bullet punctures came while we were moving at 40 mph entering the west portal of what was WP’s Tunnel 1. Scary? the holes were on the cab’s front wall. We were moving at 60 feet a second toward the shooter on a curved piece of track. Fully automatic weapon?..my guess.
I was shot high in my shoulder running back to Warm Springs at Paseo Padre Parkway approaching Centerville…The pellet hurt but didn’t puncture, me.
To correct my last comment: I was shot at Paseo Padre Parkway between Niles Tower and the 'Springs.
@ Robert Kippel and Francis Carlin: Amtrak installed those grates on many of its locomotives - mainly those which operated in the Northeast Corridor - in the late 1970’s. Many E8’s, SDP40F’s, FL9’s, F40’s, and most, if not all of its E60CP’s, sported them, until a stronger windshield glass was developed which would deflect objects, rather than objects breaking through. Engine crews hated the grates, because they would reflect the light of the number boards at night - now, that was a distraction!
I am troubled by what I have, or have not, read about this incident. The engineer was not new to this route, he had been on it for some time. He was familiar enough with the run to have been vocally critical of Amtrak for not implementing PTC on that section of track. He exited a speed controlled, right hand turn. Normally the train would be accelerating to the point where it is necessary to begin breaking for the approaching, speed controlled, left hand turn. The point of impact may not be known, but when the windshield was struck, he should have been breaking, why speed-up?
When questioned, he requested a lawyer. His first statement thru his lawyer was, I can’t remember.
Something as simple, and cost effective, as a second trainman in the cab, would have saved lives and a bunch of money. The injured and the families of those who died, deserve better.
((To the staffers, edit or delete as you see fit. I just had to get this of my chest.))
Joe, I’m glad you got your thoughts “off your chest”, but the fact remains, we weren’t in the cab when everything happened. We don’t REALLY know how the engineer reacted OR HOW he should have reacted to this particular incident. I’m sure that because of the seriousness of the accident, especially the 8 deaths, would cause the union or others to advise the engineer to lawyer-up. I really don’t believe we can label this as an admission of guilt. I think we have to have faith that in the end, the injured and the families will get justice.
Merrill, Thank You ! for clarifying that topic for Francis and me. Thank god they don’t need them anymore !