Posted on 05/14/2015 3:45:55 PM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer
A portrait of the engineer at the helm of a speeding Amtrak train that derailed in Philadelphia began to emerge on Thursday as the man's lawyer said his client could not remember the crash and rescuers pulled an eighth body from the wreckage.
With the engineer facing intense scrutiny over his role in the accident, Philadelphia police said they launched a criminal investigation into Tuesday's crash of the New York-bound train.
Bostian was described as quiet and unassuming by people who crossed his path in Forest Hills, a middle-class section of Queens where he resides.
Three workers at the nearby Gloria Pizza shop said Bostian was a regular customer.
"He comes in once or twice a week and orders a slice," said a man named Tony, who did not want to give his last name. "He's a nice guy, polite."
But Yochana Mashat, 58, who lives on the same floor as Bostian described his neighbor as standoffish.
He said he regularly rode the elevator with Bostian but never spoke to him. "He's like a statue," Mashat said.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
Why would this be a Philly police matter, it’s an interstate train, why wouldn’t that be Federal?
“amazed he could handle a locomotive but I guess its almost as automated as todays airliners”
My friend drives trains. These days, they pretty much have just a giant steering wheel, with an enormous brake pedal and accelerator pedal.
Amtrak Train Was Gaining Speed as It Approached Curve: NTSB
I believe that the right side of the loco heavily brushed up against the caternary suspension I-beam that the first passenger car wrapped itself around.
I believe that the right side of the loco heavily brushed up against the catenary suspension I-beam that the first passenger car wrapped itself around.
I think he thought he had already passed that curve and was speeding along without a care in the world or lost in thought until he realized too late that he was wrong about his location.
That's my guess -- that he thought he was already on the arrow-straight track which stretches from there north to Newark.
The "Dead Man" controls have been required since a Jersey Central engineer drove a passenger train through an open drawbridge into Newark Bay in 1958.
Thank you for that posting.
I think we’re right.
It was dark. I wonder what signals the engineer looks for when cruising at 100 plus. Blink your eyes and. You miss the sign. Then bang. If he has texting or browsing, he’s in deep poop.
Funny how every other news story in the press is about homosexuals gaily announcing to the world how they love homosexuality in all its many weird and wonderful forms but in this case I guess the fact he’s gay is a big fat secret.
I checked out your comment - wasn’t aware of this - now I am reading how this tomato was speeding up the train before the crash.
You mean there’s no GPS or night cams on the train?
Good point.
Most of the track has some Gps signaling system. This part did not.
After driving the train for five years, you probably start to rely on predictive repetition instead of thinking.
In his mind, he probably stopped thinking, and started going on memory, and his memory had a miss.
Like when you drive a lot on same route to work. Sometimes you are driving along, and may pass your exit. It may happen once a year, but it happens. Or. You driving along and it dawns on you that you have no idea where you are on your route? You wonder how the hell you got there without being alert to where you are?
It used to happen to me once in a great while. I was driving 150 miles round trip every Day, for years.
The monotony of repetition turns the mind off. Like auto pilot.
No, I mean the signal system that warns the engineer. That part of the track did not have it.
That would have been hepful, but it’s hard to believe the engineer is just relying on his headlight In the dark. I’d think he’d have some other help.
Apparently, he posted a lot Mr Happy pictures on line.
(According to a discussion Mr Kitty found online - What is wrong with some people!! is my reaction)
Maybe he looks at land marks, and maybe a land mark changed? Maybe some kids removed a sign? Something changed this day. Maybe he was just tired and not as alert as usual.
Pretty sad situation.
A few years ago I got stuck inside the lincoln tunnel for a few hours. A bus was going to fast and tipped over on the
Helix after exiting the tunnel.
A STREERING WHEEL?? What does one do with that?
I’ve seen the control cabs of New York City subway cars and all they have are a throttle control lever and a braking lever. Both operated by hand. Someone is putting him on.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.