A short time ago there was a near-head-on in WPB between Amtrak & Tri Rail and both train crews were fired. Somehow, I missed this in the local paper. Can someone provide a link, or details?
Thanks,
Mark
I found it in 15 seconds using a Google search.
Now you got it, complete with cab video.
I love watching the Fox networks…they can turn a hangnail into a major amputation in no time flat…
The TriRail was taking the crossover…granted the Amtrak was past its signal, but it was stopped, and in the clear of the crossover, he cuts his headlights to let the opposing crew know he is stopped, so no major accident was in the works…simply an engineer a little past a red board.
The cover up would be on the Amtrak engineer, he knew he was fired for 90 days, hoped no one would say anything, left his crew in the dark…the TriRail operator did what he or she was supposed to, they stopped, I assume because they also got a red board the moment the Amtrak passed his stop signal.
Guessing, but I would bet the signal dropped in the TriRail operator’s face just as they passed it.
I love the reporter’s statement…“they were on the same track!”…uhhh, yeah, it happens that way all the time, that’s why one is supposed to stop while the other on crosses over.
Hey, I like the fox network.
That territory has been dispatched by Tri-Rail personnel since approximately October 2007. If, as the report alleges, there needs to be a third part to the ‘cover-up’; the dispatcher. Evidence of the signal over runs are displayed on his model board. Unless Tri-Rail has implemented it’s own Rule Book since the takeover of the territory from CSX, the CSX rules require train & engine crews to report when they have gotten by a STOP signal for any reason. With the signal equipment that is installed in that territory, a log is maintained on every action that takes place with the signal system - every time a signal is lined, every time a track segment is occupied - EVERYTHING that happens in the operation of the signal system. Once the signal log is reviewed by qualified personnel, a determination is made to whether a signal dropped in the face of a train and it legitimately could not stop in time, or if the train in fact ran by a STOP signal.
STOP signal incidents are the most serious signal incidents that can occur and cannot be covered up by ANYONE without there being severe repercussions.
Yeah, stopping just feet away on the very same track…
You can see in the video that it’s at least 50 feet, the Amtrak train is stopped, and the Tri-Rail train is on the crossover and couldn’t hit the Amtrak train even if it didn’t stop!
Great reporting…[:-^]
I guess the “No harm, No foul” rule doesn’t apply to railroading.
It most certainly doesn’t. Not only that you are reqired, by rule, to report your own fouls, if you don’t the discipline will be even more severe.
This is true…add to the fact that once past his red board, the dispatcher knows the opposing train has run a red, the crew on the other train has to explain their actions, plus the passengers will talk…tying to cover up getting by a red board is hard to impossible…and the rules require you to announce the fact on the radio to all other trains in the ares if you do get by one, as a safety precaution.
My condolences.
No need for consoling.
Don’t be sad, send cash!
Rupert Murdock doesn’t need any more cash.
What I still don’t quite comprehend is that why would the “crew” be disciplined and not just the Engineer that violated the signal?
OK,
I saw the whole video. They’re on, what in the transit and rail industry is designated as PI (pending investigation) status. Everyone involved is “temporarily” relieved until the investigation is nearly or totally complete. In most cases those that are found not to have been contributing to the incident in question are cleared to return to duty.
Not defending the Engineer, but I do understand the anxiety involved when becoming involved in a major safety related incident and your heart is skipping beats in the hope that no one will be hurt and then afterwards, that no will be fired. The hard part is living with the consequences of having made a poor decision involving a cover up. No winners.