Metrolink Crash - kills 25, injures 135+

[Kevin Wilson-Smith]

In September there was a serious train crash in Los Angles when a Metrolink train had a head-on with a Union Pacific freight train.

For some reason this was very underreported in the news internationally - I really did not pick up on it at the time..

The National Tansport Safety Board information available so far is as follows.

1. The driver of the Metrolink train was by himself.
2. The despatcher set up a meet whereby the the Metrolink train on a double track, was to stop at a red signal, which was at a point where the double track converged to one and before going round a corner. The on-coming UP freight had the right of way.
3. All signals were functioning correctly.
4. The Metrolink driver stopped at a station at 4.16 and departed north.
5. He then started to use his cell phone to SMS (cell phone records confirm this).
6. At 4.22 in the middle of the curve on the single line, the twotrains came insight of each other, with 5 seconds to impact.
7. 3 seconds befre the collision, the UP crew applied emergency brakes.
8. Brakes were never applied (according to the trains recorder) in the Metrolink train.
9. After collision, the Metrolink engine was shoved almost completely into the first Bombandier coach.
10. The Metrolink diver was killed instantly, by the crew of the UP engine surprisingly survived.

Although the investigation results have not been formally provided, California moved immediately to pass a law banning railway crew members from using cell phones on duty.

The Federal Railroad Administration followed on October the 1st.

And lastly Metrolink has now added a second crew member in the cab.

[Kevin Wilson-Smith]

And the latest is that the Senate is now fast tracking a Bill for Positive Train Control - had this been in place the accident would likely have not occurred at all.

See

http://www.friendsoftherail.com/phpBB2/ ... 689#p10689

for a bit on Positive Train Control

[John Ashworth]

this was very underreported in the news internationally - I really did not pick up on it at the time

You obviously don't read your FOTR forum, always up to the minute with international news - see http://www.friendsoftherail.com/phpBB2/ ... =43&t=3114, posted on 13th September 2008!

That thread refers to articles in the UK Guardian as well as the BBC - international news coverage! - and mentions the cellphone usage.

[Kevin Wilson-Smith]

I obviously did not!

Would have saved me some typing!