Thanks to most of you for the comments and explanations. Particularly impressed with technical signal expertise, and rules knowledge shown. Towards the end of the discussion there is definitely some tension, but must say that is typical when talking with old head railroaders. Railroaders who have long worked and know their respective crafts.

Did not realize several of you were off the late great Southern Pacific, which did indeed understand the rules and signal requirements. Have not heard some of this great reasoning since last attending rules classes at Santa Fe. Sounds so much like several Santa Fe and SP retirees I knew, glad to know that "old timers" has not clouded your judgment. My memory and judgment is far from perfect, but do respect what you guys have recorded here for the rest of us. Knowledgeable, experienced trainmen, enginemen and signalmen are to be respected.

I can read between the lines well enough to have learned what was not clear from the media reports, rumors and uninformed opinions. Another thread started out just blindly blaming the crew, showing no respect for the fact these brother railroaders had just lost their lives. OPRRMS had a great response, in furnishing the NTSB phone number, so that the disrespectful crackpot could solve the whole mess. We can likely all agree that the wreck was needless, and hopefully change, for the better, will result. The NTSB will sort it out for us to read sooner or later.

Glen Icanberry
Redlands, CA
AT&SF Ry Retired