I didn’t think a sharp curve was left to the engineer to navigate. Are there not automatic brakes and a navigation system programmed into train routes these days (like auto pilots) so these things cannot happen? Should be.
Exactly and what a coincidence the same exact thing happened in July in Spain!
ATC is supposedly incorporated into Metro North equipment...
From here:
Signaling and Safety Appliances The Hudson, Harlem and New Haven lines and the New Canaan branch are equipped for cab signaling, and all passenger rolling stock is equipped to receive the cab signal. Cab signaling displays the appropriate block signal in the engineer’s cab. All rolling stock is equipped with Automatic Train Control (ATC). ATC enforces the speed dictated by the cab signal by means of a penalty brake application should the engineer fail to obey it. There are no intermediate wayside signals between interlockings: operation is solely by cab signal. Wayside signals remain at interlockings. These are a special type of signal, a go or a stop signal. They do not convey information about traffic in the blocks ahead - the cab signal conveys block information.
In my view you’re right, there’s a lot lives at stake. I know little about trains, planes or ships but ships and planes have crews and I believe safeguards built in that those crews use.