[Fishrrman]

“I know nothing of how the systems work, but I have to agree with you that there must be more to this than a simple matter of missing a signal. I find it hard to believe that any system today would permit two trains going in opposite directions to on the same piece of track at the same time.”

After the investigations are conducted, it will almost certainly come down to a single finding:
The engineer of one train missed a Stop Signal, and ended up on single track in the face of an opposing train.

You better start “believing”.

There is only ONE section of railroad in the entire United States where a train will be forced to a dead stop before passing a Stop Signal. That’s on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor, in the section between New Haven Connecticut and Boston upon which the “ACSES” system is in place. I believe they’ve also got ACSES operational on certain portions of the Corridor between New York and Washington.

Anywhere else, a train can pass a Stop Signal just as easily as you can pass a red traffic light in your own car. In cab signaled systems (again, not in place where this accident occurred), a train might be slowed to 20mph by the speed control apparatus, but it can STILL pass a Stop Signal without coming to a complete stop.

The truth is, almost everywhere in the United States (except where I’ve described), trains CAN end up (in your words) “going in opposite directions to on the same piece of track at the same time.”

What keeps them from doing that?
Answer: the integrity and character of the folks running ‘em.
It’s really that simple.

- John

[pjluke]

I am not familiar with Metrolink’s operations, but most freight, passenger, and commuter rail train locomotives operate with at least two crew members: an engineer and a conductor. The engineer is responsible for running the train, and the conductor is responsible for calling the signals. Usually the conductor says something like “Metrolink train #5 has a clear signal at MP 155.2.” It is usually customary for the engineer to repeat this back and sometimes even crew conductors riding in the passenger cars repeat it as well.

For this accident to have happened, both the conductor and engineer on the offending train would have had to miss slowing for an approach signal (usually yellow) and then stopping for the red signal. Also, the train dispatchers usually communicate with their trains to let them know them know when they are taking a siding or holding the mainline to meet an oncoming train (or let a higher priority train overtake them from behind) I don't know which track the Metrolink train was on, but even if a switch is lined against your track, most trains go through them without derailing.

This is a terrible tragedy