Yeah, saw that on Foxnews. The media is funny--"How did this happen?" "Well, the freight train was on one track, and the Amtrak train was on the same track." Gee, ya think?!?!? *lol*
I'm sure it will come out that the engineer did little to avoid the accident, like swerving, or tooting his horn to alert the other train to get out of the way.
I just heard about it on the radio. It sounds like, as far as people are concerned, it's mostly bumps and bruises - nothing serious. "How did this happen?" Sounds much the same to me as post-game commentary on the TV. "Well, how did X team lose?" "Well, they just weren't together, and Y team scored more goals/baskets/touchdowns/etc." Duh. I think this is why I am not much of a pro sports fan.
Better pics, video here http://www.chicagotribune.com/ http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-amtrak_webnov30,0,1164839.story?coll=chi_tab01_layout
Ooof. That's not pretty. The report I heard said nothing of the engine crew. Whatever happened and whoever is found to be at fault (engineer, conductor, faulty signal, whatever) I send my best wishes for the recovery of those railroad crew members. Adam
did anyone notice the load in the car in front of the engine? It has a tank container. who knows what was in it. For all we know it could of had chemicals, boy those people were lucky.
Intermodal tank containers used to be generally single-hulled, meanng they coudln't haul hazardous chemicals.
I sure wish our media, print and broadcast, would have an original thought. Every station I heard yesterday, used the term "engine car" in their little speech. Which says a lot about their usefulness... Bleh. :tb-wacky: Boxcab E50
I am wondering why they cant haul hazardous in tanktainers? My paperwork shows Hazardous in them all the time. Guess it's wrong.
At least the stuff made in China that the locomotive crushed inside that container, won't make it to the shelves for Christmas!
Would that signal have happened to be on a blind corner? Greenhorn crew? Asleep at the wheel? Either explanation is no excuse... If you cannot see that signal indication, you shouldn't pass it, correct? If you don't know where it is, restricted speed should be your speed, until you verify the signal? What was the estimated speed of impact?
I think it was about 30-35 mph at impact. I would not want to be the engineer that had to explain that one.
