The wreck was caused by blatant failure to follow the rules. The NTSB said the CSX crewmembers did not use the Switch Position Awareness Form that was required for operating mainline switches by hand in unsignaled territory or conditions. Even if they were not used to using it, the fact that they were operating under a signal suspension should have triggered them to review what changes were required in their initial job briefing.

I don't recall the all the details of the report, was there a trainmaster or yardmaster briefing crews as the went on duty because of the signal suspension? If so did he mention it? Or was PSRCSX still rushing crews onto the engine just a couple of months after Hunter Harrison's death (Piss be upon him.) Either way, both the CSX engineer and conductor, especially the conductor, had basic responsibilities. You'd think a signal suspension would have them extra cautious and on their toes.