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Re: NTSB Press Release re: BNSF rear-end collision in Iowa
Author: SP5103
Date: 05-03-2011 - 14:55
At 25 mph, the alertor might not cycle for a couple minutes. I can't find a requirement in 49CFR to equip a locomotive with an alertor, except for some passenger equipment.
As commented, the issue here is the train was not being operated at restricted speed, but there were presumably two qualified persons in the cab.
GCOR 6.27 Movement at Restricted Speed
When required to move at restricted speed, movement must be made at a speed that allows stopping
within half the range of vision short of:
• Train.
• Engine.
• Railroad car.
• Men or equipment fouling the track.
• Stop signal.
or
• Derail or switch lined improperly.
When a train or engine is required to move at restricted speed, the crew must keep a lookout for broken rail and not exceed 20 MPH.
Comply with these requirements until the leading wheels reach a point where movement at restricted speed is no longer required.
Let's see - 18,529 tons at 23 mph hitting a 2,635 ton "brick wall". Or - 37,058,000 pounds traveling at 34 feet per second hitting 5,270,000 pounds that is stopped. This is like driving a compact car into the back of a stopped semi, and then immediately getting hit by another semi that was tailgating you. What auto would you expect to survive in?
The amusing thing (with all due respect to those killed), is that the NTSB wants to investigate survivability of loco cabs? This is like being hit in the head with a sledgehammer, and blamming the hat you were wearing. Several four-letter words come to mind, the most important one being "J-U-M-P !!!" The crash resulted because the train was not operating at restricted speed - whether this was caused by a distracted crew, sleeping crew or other issue, the train was exceeding restricted speed. Notice no mention is made of PTC - will PTC stop the train within one-half the range of vision?
Sorry - most attempts to rewrite the laws of physics fail. I can imagine that we will soon see massive rubber-baby-buggy-bumpers that will absorb all the energy from colliding with boulder, vehicles and other trains.
As commented, the issue here is the train was not being operated at restricted speed, but there were presumably two qualified persons in the cab.
GCOR 6.27 Movement at Restricted Speed
When required to move at restricted speed, movement must be made at a speed that allows stopping
within half the range of vision short of:
• Train.
• Engine.
• Railroad car.
• Men or equipment fouling the track.
• Stop signal.
or
• Derail or switch lined improperly.
When a train or engine is required to move at restricted speed, the crew must keep a lookout for broken rail and not exceed 20 MPH.
Comply with these requirements until the leading wheels reach a point where movement at restricted speed is no longer required.
Let's see - 18,529 tons at 23 mph hitting a 2,635 ton "brick wall". Or - 37,058,000 pounds traveling at 34 feet per second hitting 5,270,000 pounds that is stopped. This is like driving a compact car into the back of a stopped semi, and then immediately getting hit by another semi that was tailgating you. What auto would you expect to survive in?
The amusing thing (with all due respect to those killed), is that the NTSB wants to investigate survivability of loco cabs? This is like being hit in the head with a sledgehammer, and blamming the hat you were wearing. Several four-letter words come to mind, the most important one being "J-U-M-P !!!" The crash resulted because the train was not operating at restricted speed - whether this was caused by a distracted crew, sleeping crew or other issue, the train was exceeding restricted speed. Notice no mention is made of PTC - will PTC stop the train within one-half the range of vision?
Sorry - most attempts to rewrite the laws of physics fail. I can imagine that we will soon see massive rubber-baby-buggy-bumpers that will absorb all the energy from colliding with boulder, vehicles and other trains.
