CWLee Wrote:
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> Five questions:
>
> 1. Was the Metrolink locomotive equipped with a
> "black box" data recorder?
>
> 2. If so, was it recovered undamaged?

The Metrolink locomotive did indeed have an event recorder. It was recovered, but was severely damaged in the collision and could not give a download in the field. It has been sent to the manufacturer for further testing.

The data the NTSB has released about the on-board operation of the Metrolink train came from the event recorder in the cab car at the opposite end of the train.

Likewise, data about the operation of the UP train came from the event recorder in the second unit, UP8491.

> 3. If so, would that data recorder indicate the
> time or distance that had elapsed between when the
> train left the station and when the engineer, if
> he did so, took steps to make an emergency stop?

Yes.

> 4. If so, has that information been made public?

Yes. The NTSB released it at their press briefings.

> 5. If so, did the train go into emergency stop
> mode?

The download from the cab car indicates that the engineer did not initiate an Emergency application, and had accelerated away from the station stop reaching a speed of 50-52 MPH when approaching the signal at CP Topanga, which is about 1.1 mile from the station, before making a throttle reduction to reduce the speed to 40 for the climb up the pass. Speed at impact shows to be 42. Thus, it appears he was operating the train as if he were receiving Clear signals.