NTSB: The switch was lined and locked for the freight siding.
The question is who and why?
First, TY for the NTSB update.
Just a guess (emphasis: GUESS) the CSX dispatcher was trying to thread the Silver Star through a series of long trains.
Reports from social media suggest (disclaimers apply) CSX in SC & FL has taken to running “Land Barges”, numbering up to 200 freight cars. These monster freight trains make it difficult for intercity passenger trains on defined schedules to make it through in a timely fashion, even with the massive padding added to Amtrak timetables.
“Precision Railroading” looking more like “Deathtrap Railroading” every day.
Keep in mind USG transportation policies, guided by political pork, have given us the transportation system the US has today. Fixing the mess will take time.