I don't know where you get the idea that a rail passenger car that fails to prevent a telescoping entry of another rail vehicle into it, in an end to end accident, is somehow safe.

This is especially of concern, given that it was actually a secondary chain reaction impact that caused the catastrophic telescoping breach into the following Bombardier car. This after considerable kinetic energy had already been dissipated by the initial engine to engine impact. Once telescoping starts, any passenger in its path - dies a gruesome and sure death! Even worse in this case, the telescoping action was so severe and unrestrained, that the entire car body ruptured open, spilling passengers onto the right-of-way, where they too were instantly killed.

It is beyond me how any car design that permits such a catastrophic structural failure in any sort of accident, especially a fairly low speed one such at at Chatsworth; can ever be considered compliant with Federal safety regulations. Even though a million lbs/sqft impact can and will destroy a car beyond economical repair; deadly telescoping and climbing must still be prevented, as required in the CFR. And with those two things thus prevented; although the car body is likely to get all wrinkled up, it will still be able to absorb enough kinetic energy, while remaining structurally sound enough, to give the passengers inside a fair chance at survival.

Instead, the car failed to prevent telescoping, resulting in total catastrophic structural failure; thus very little kinetic energy was actually dissipated by the car, and many passengers died. Had it in fact complied with the intent of the CFR, far fewer deaths would have occurred; as was many times demonstrated in previous accidents with the passenger car designs of the 40s 50s.

Fewer deaths equals SAFER; whereas, more deaths == not so safe!


The sad part of all this though, is that for a good long time, incidences of "telescoping" were for the most part, done away with, starting the better part of a century ago; at least where federally compliant equipment was in use. Of course, application of the CFR up to now, has always been loop-holed to death - as though the laws of physics were somehow different depending on who the regulatory agency was - state or federal.

But sadly, the telescoping accident has now reared its ugly head again; what with the era of flimsy rapid transit cars, and phony pretenders of federal compliance, such as the Bombardier cars. Incredibly, even the star of Amtrak, the Acela, almost fell victim to this terrible trend.

You may recall that Amtrak suffered interminable delays with the Acela; most of which were caused because Amtrak had discovered late in the procurement process, that their vendor had lied about federal safety compliance. But the first articles miserably failed crash tests, which the vendor had insisted were not necessary (never mind that federal law requires them for new designs). It is a good thing that Amtrak stuck to its guns. Perhaps Metrolink didn't.

MetroLink would have needed to be just as vigilant, and just as expert, as Amtrak was. It is plain to me, after having directly dealt with some of those French owned companies, that they are not so concerned about safety as they are about their "elegant" lightweight designs - calling the Acela a "Pig" after it was made truly compliant. So, considering Amtrak's experience with them, MetroLink's catastrophic experience, and my own direct dealings with them in the train control field, they clearly have a bad attitude and will try to get away with anything.

But the party is soon to be over, as pending before Congress (may have passed already) is legislation to do away with all non-compliance with the CFR, even for local rapid transit. The only sticking point I have not heard has been resolved, is who will administrate the rail safety regs to rapid transit - the FTA directly, which is assigned primary responsibility; or the FRA on behalf of the FTA,.

It is about time! -- that our government has recognized that there is only one set of natural laws of physics on this planet - not one set for transit and another set for freight railroads; and that our current two tier system of safety standards is STUPIDLY getting people killed, for no good reason other than to assuage the egos of competing fiefdoms.

OPB