Commuter train derails in Glendale (Update: Crash escalates to criminal probe)

AP ^ | 01/26/05 | AP

[Pikamax]

Commuter train derails in Glendale

Associated Press

GLENDALE, Calif. - A Metrolink commuter train derailed early Wednesday in this Los Angeles suburb, and firefighters were searching through the wreckage.

Television reports showed smoke coming from twisted wreckage at the scene of the crash, where two separate trains could be seen derailed.

The derailment in this Los Angeles suburb was near San Fernando Road and Chevy Chase Boulevard.

[BurbankKarl]

Brothers and Sisters,

I was told that Brother Tom Ormiston was one of the (Amtrak) conductors involved here and did not survive the crash. I will provide information as it comes in.

Fraternally yours,

Richard Albitre, S&T #84

Tom will be missed as he was a Great guy .

[Willie Green]

Lacking any supporting facts whatsoever, your suspicion was not valid.

Due to proximity to Mexico, there is a much higher proportion of illegal immigrants among California's Hispanic population than among other ethnic groups. And with the high crime rate committed by illegals, it is logical to suspect that this act was committed by such a person until the facts lead to other conclusions.

[BurbankKarl]

When she filed her request for a restraining order, she said she feared Alvarez might snatch her children because he no longer had a job or permanent home to tie him down.


(Take them where, one might wonder?)

[BurbankKarl]

Summarized from Amtrak reports this morning:

At 6:03 AM-PST, eastbound Metrolink train 100(26) struck unoccupied Jeep
Cherokee at MP 6.4 on Metrolink Valley Sub, just west of Glendale
passenger station. Train 100(26) was operating at approx. 79mph in
push mode with Cab car 625 leading, two Coaches, and engine 886. After
striking vehicle, train continued east and derailed. Cab car struck UP
train WGSPTD-18 on Glendale Slide siding. Cab car struck engine UP4323
and derailed it, turning it on its side. Train 100(26) jackknifed into
the side of westbound Metrolink Train 901(26) in pull mode with engine
873, two Coaches and Cab car 623. It had just departed Glendale and was
at approx. 45mph.

Nearest grade crossing is Chevy Chase Road, protected by gates,
cross-bucks, flashers and bells. Authorized track speed is 79 MPH.

The derailment resulted in 11 fatalities, including one Amtrak conductor
in Metrolink service. The other Amtrak employee on Train 100 was its
engineer; he was injured and transported to Glendale Memorial Hospital.

Metrolink has reported in excess of 200 injuries in this incident.

Consists:

Train 100(26):

625 Cab Car
133 Coach
197 Coach
886 F59PHI

Train 901(26):

873 F59PH
177 Coach
148 Coach
623 Cab Car

[WestCoastGal]

I didn't see any replies to your question.

I heard reported today that he is/was at USC Medical Center jail ward awaiting transfer.

[TankerKC]

Nobody in "my camp" claims that.

Example: This thread. Commuter train crash thread turns into a referendum on immigration.

[Willie Green]

Example: This thread. Commuter train crash thread turns into a referendum on immigration.

Only because hypersensitive apologists for illegal immigration denied the high probablity.
In the absence of facts to the contrary, it IS logical speculation.
Is it "unfair" to lawabiding hispanic citizens or those who have immigrated legally?
Yes, I think it is. I know that I wouldn't want to be wrongly associated with a group that has a reputation for disregard of our laws. But until our immigration laws are more strictly enforced and the illegals are deported, that "unfair" association will continue. And protesting the "unfairness" will only inflame divisive attitudes. It is much more constructive to apprehend and deport the criminal illegal population so that lawful citizens are not wrongly associated with their crimes.

[BurbankKarl]

ping bttt


from a site which I belong...

Date: 01/27/05 12:51
Tom Ormiston - SP / Amtrak / MetroLink Conductor - R.I.P.
Author: sploopconductor

---

I have just heard (well, actually early this morning, but I can finally bring myself to type a few words) that the MetroLink Conductor killed in yesterday's collision was Mr. Tom Ormiston.

Sorry for the delay, I just told my wife about the news, and then I broke down again.

Here goes. Tom was a great person, and also a very good rail. He hired out with the Southern Pacific in the mid '70's in Los Angeles. At that time, and several years to come, he and his wife lived in Glendale, Ca, not too far from Taylor Yard. Countless times I worked with him. He had a little more seny than me, so I usually worked as a Brakeman for him. I always knew it would be a nice trip working with Tom. He usually worked the "Butcher Board" (Conductor's Extra Board) for the varity of the types of calls. Sometimes, he would bid a "West-End" job, L.A. to West Colton. When he did that, he would always give me a call to invite me to join him to work as his Brakeman. Sometimes I would get the bid, sometimes not, because alot of fellow rails also enjoyed working with Tom.

Tom collected knives. Very ornate ones. He would often come to work with his latest find. Tom also collected some RR items, which lead him to meet my father who lived a few blocks from Taylor. Tom would come by my folks house all the time. At that time, my father was retired, and a hobby of his (besides the RR) was making ceramic cups, dishes, and other Southern Pacific glassware. Tom would come by and check out my Dad's latest creations. They would just B.S. about the RR. My father (and Mom) really enjoyed Tom's visit's.

Tom was always concerned about safety on the job, and attended all the local Union meetings. Since, I was the Local's L.R. (Safety Committee Chairman), Tom and I would discuss safety concerns. He was always very involved.

I can remember, very vividly, a minor derailment we had while taking our power to the Roundhouse at Taylor one hot summer day. A mis-aligned cross-over switch was missed as we moved up A-yard #8, towards Fletcher Drive ("Top-End-A Yard). We got thru it, and side-swiped a car of lumber. We had a couple of wheels on the ground, and it was quite embarrasing. No injuries, but the "suits" wanted someone to "pay" for the mis-hap. Tom stepped up, told them it was his fault as Conductor, and got a 5 day suspension. They wanted to give the Engineer a few days off, also. Tom made a deal with them to take all the heat. So he had the Engineer's 5 day's added to his.

A real "class act", as our Female Engineer was a divorced Mom and couldn't afford days off without pay. Tom told me that he didn't mind a few "extra days" added because "it is Summertime, and I'll go fishing!" I think he spent the time working on his knife collection!

He left the S P when Amtrak took bids from the ranks of operating employees to run their trains. (Prior to that, the RR's supplied the crews for their trains) That would make the year 1987.

It was easy to continue to "talk" to Tom even though he was on Amtrak. You knew when he was out there with you, nearby, or within 50 miles, because he had a bit of a "Texas accent". We would have short conversations over the radio. We would talk on the telephone every once-in-awhile.

During every call, he would bring up the "Safety Factor" of the "Cab-Car" operation. He would call it the "Bad News" of passenger operations. He felt it was very un-safe to RR that way. He was concerned of the lack of crash-worthiness and it's ability to stay on the rails ... he had seen alot from the cab of a freight locomotive to know the difference in design and weight makes all the difference in a collision.

When I heard of his death, I remembered our many conversations about "Cab-Cars".

How ironic ... and so, so, sad.

I know this for fact, he's now taking care of his passengers who joined him yesterday, and has greeted my Dad. Now, once again, they can discuss coffee cups and knives.

When his service is announced, I will post. I had heard that the news reports put his age at 62, Tom was only a few years ahead of me, I belive more like 58. For now, I'll have to stop pecking ... I can't see my screen for the tears.

------
Re: Tom Ormiston - SP / Amtrak / MetroLink Conductor - R.I.P.
Author: SurflinerHogger

---

I haven't commented on this board regarding the horrible disaster, because frankly I've been too angry to be rational. A fitting tribute to Tom has already been posted here, but I would like to add what it was like have the privilege of being Tom's engineer. When Tom first came to Amtrak, we hit it off immediately. Mainly because of our shared love of the "old" Glendale (where I grew up), also because of our mutual affection for the "old" Southern Pacific (also where I grew up). Tom came to me one day quite a few years ago and told me "Andy said hi." I didn't know what he was talking about, then he told me it was Andy the barber. "Andy" had been cutting my hair since I was 7 years old. Tom and I went to the same barber in Glendale and we became very close friends. Tom remembered my house on Colorado, he remembered the little jeep, dolled up to look like a fire truck that my mom ran around Glendale in. He remembered the red big Irish setter sitting in the back while she would run us kids around town. Tom and I spent countless hours reminiscing about Henry's drive-in at Glendale and Colorado St., and the very first Bob's Big Boy right down the street from my house. He remembered guys on the SP that worked with my grandfather like Roy Ables, Cash Murphy, Roy McFadden and others. And the jokes and pranks. They were never ending. Like the time Tom and his bunch got thrown off an RTD bus going to Hollywood on their layover. The driver tossed them because he wouldn't stop using his farter. He told me he needed a new one last Monday. I would see Tom on the platform smoking his cigar every morning when I went to get my coffee on the way to my train. Most mornings I would just smile and wave, because I knew if I stopped to talk to him, I'd never get to my train. Tom and I shared the same views about cab cars and the people who promote their use, but I won't get into that. To say that Tom Ormiston was a class act and a good friend doesn't begin to touch the surface of what I want , or what any of us want to say. Losing Tom is nothing short of devastating to all of us. And to lose him in this manner, to a murdering swine triples the hurt. I want everyone to know that I loved this man. But I'm not the only one. We all loved him. Not because of any railroad or "working" relationship, but because he was who he was. Like Andy Andersen, he was a giant. I will miss his physical presence, but like so many of my other friends that have passed away recently, his spirit will live in my heart forever. And when I think of Tom, I won't cry, I'll start laughing at the silly things we did together, because when you were around Tom the laughs never ceased. Nor will the memory of a giant. He was my friend and I will miss him greatly.

[Brad’s Gramma]

Thank you, Karl. This is heart-wretching for all of the victims...but THIS makes it so much more personal.

[TankerKC]

Do you ever get dizzy?

Done.

[B4Ranch]

>>But there's no need to insult all Hispanics in the process.<<

Why not, todays your day to hang Asians, or so it appears.

[CedarDave]

Thanks for posting the tributes -- I saw them at the other site, too. It's apparent that Tom will be greatly missed for his love of his job and his caring for the people he came in contact with. May God bless him and the others, and care for those who must face life without their loved ones.

[FITZ]

My guess --- he's from the recent immigrant batch ---- from that massive flood in the 1980's or more recently --- very likely an anchor baby born to get his mother the right to stay and a welfare check.

I actually know a lot of the traditional SW-American hispanic families (not from Mexico) and they are in general more law-abiding than most other groups. Why would I suspect someone is from a group that has low crime rates versus one that has very high crime rates?

[FITZ]

Yes --- we see a lot of that here --- the first generation that is raised like they would have been if their parents stayed home --- but because of being born here and "entitled" to handouts are inclined to get into crime. Too good to work those jobs that freshly arrived illegals might actually work.

[bayourod]

Why do the people who claim that their only concern is the "legality" of the immigration status of individuals only express outrage at Hispanics and never at other groups.

For example the story of the four Chinese who were smuggled across the California border or the Chinese who were forced down in the plane at San Antonio. All of the hostility was directed as the Mexican smugglers but not any at the Chinese immigrants?

[B4Ranch]

Hispanics account for 70+% of illegals. They deserve most of the media time, don't they?

When I think that all the others can't even get 30%, I think the illegals from across the Rio Grande would be filing lawsuits for discrimination.

[BurbankKarl]

Well, considering they had to use all their interpreters to question the guy...

Bayourod...how many illegals do you employ exactly?

[bayourod]

"Hispanics account for 70+% of illegals."

If you're sure I won't bother looking it up, but I thought it was only 50%. Illegals from Mexico cross back and forth frequently whereas Chinese only cross once.

[amom]

Thanks Karl. Such a great senseless loss. Thanks for putting a bit of heart to it.

RIP Tom Ormiston SP/Amtrak/MetroLink Conductor.

What a friggen waste! Because of a cowardly worthless piece of work!

[GOP_1900AD]

Wow. Sheddin' a tear here.