LAist: Metrolink Train Derailment Rescue Operations Continue*

Suntop

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:40:27 -0800

Some rules obviiously were violated. Commuter taking siding did not have signals so red was run. They say he may have been using his cell phone. All major railroads have specific rules against or governing that. The bigger fear is how passenger and freight railroads are all pushing for 1 man crews. Be afraid because they keep pushing for this. The engineer in this case was a subcontracted scab employee, I am sure the FRA will look hard at his history, qualifications AND training. Improper or under training often is a mitigating factor in derailment incidents, as is fatigue. I'm a through freight Engineer for Union Pacific, this is a nightmare scenario.

heiny

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 20:59:27 -0800

Bart Reed: "Some very basic railroad rules went very wrong." You are correct. Technology that was available 20 years ago could have prevented this from happening. An auto accident is much different... there are not fixed guide ways for the vehicles to travel on - and as such there many more variables to consider. As I said earlier... if the FRA would require railroads to implement existing technology - this accident would not have happened. Instead, they bow to the railroads who complain about the excessive expense.

heiny

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 20:50:11 -0800

Absolutely un-necessary. If the FRA would buck up and mandate PTC... these 10-20 some people would be able to go home to their families. Ridiculous!

Bart Reed

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 20:43:47 -0800

Syringe Mouth: This was a human error type of accident. The UP Freight was exactly where it was supposed to be. Metrolink #111 either was not held for the freight in front, as it normally would at the passing tracks at the Chatsworth Metrolink Station, by either an error from the Metrolink dispatcher or a mistake by the engineer. That will come out in the forthcoming investigation. Some very basic railroad rules went very wrong. Do you make the same type of comments every time there is a tragic traffic accident?

Syringe Mouth

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:37:40 -0800

This is what happens when you have freight trains, Amtrak, and a commuter train, serving one of the biggest metropolitan areas and the biggest port in the United States, share one track.

calwatch

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:31:36 -0800

If you want to see all coverage from the accident site, check http://yeson91.net/situationroom/ where I've placed all six streams on one page.