by LongIslandTool
At the risk of speculating cause, there are several ways this most recent wreck could have occurred. Tool looked over the mess yesterday afternoon and has his opinions, which he has learned to reserve until the investigation's done. But here are the possibilities:
A switch could have been picked, either because of a track condition or equipment condition. The track in Jamaica generally is some of the best in the country and the M-7's are in also in pretty good condition.
It could have been a catastrophic failure of a track or mechanical component, like a broken rail, wheel or something falling off equipment or switch. This would be determined from physical inspection and M-7 event recorder files.
The switch could have gone over under the train. This would require a clear failure of the machine's interlocking, which is virtually impossible with the 1911 equipment in the interlocking. A new, problem-and-reliability-plagued electronic system is being installed and its temporary interface caused a similar incident in March, but a repeat of that should be unlikely. A good examination of the switch points and any event records would determine this. When picked, there is wear, breakage or marks on the points.
Train handling could have been faulty. While the Railroad's training department no longer discusses slack and buff actions with new engineers the effect of slack in the handling on MU's is minimal, making this not a likely cause. The location and grade makes train handling an unlikely cause though not one to ever be ruled out, and this could be examined on the event recorder records. Yet another new railroad spokesman said "The engineer did not appear to be speeding". Stupid remark by an inexperienced political hack.
Of course there is always the very unlikely possibility of vandalism, which is often thrown about simply to avoid official responsibility but almost never a valid cause here on the LIRR. The police usually press to immediately and correctly rule this out.
There's the preliminary list. Bosses from Transportation, M of E, Signal and Track must now look at the evidence and agree on a cause or fight off allegations between them. Often it's immediately clear, though sometimes it requires hours or days of investigation. No Track or Signal boss was on the property and none would report to work Sunday, so the investigation is being hampered.
As of 7:24 the wreck crew has not yet arrived at Jamaica, having declined, along with the rest of the restoration teams, calls for them to turn out on overtime during the past 18 hours. It is unprecedented in modern times that morale is so low emergency workers would not report in an emergency. But they have been publicly demeaned by President Williams over the past months in the media for working overtime.
There was small discussion among upper management of bringing in a subway or MetroNorth wreck crew, but it was dismissed as silly and of little benefit the few with any sense who were consulted.
A switch could have been picked, either because of a track condition or equipment condition. The track in Jamaica generally is some of the best in the country and the M-7's are in also in pretty good condition.
It could have been a catastrophic failure of a track or mechanical component, like a broken rail, wheel or something falling off equipment or switch. This would be determined from physical inspection and M-7 event recorder files.
The switch could have gone over under the train. This would require a clear failure of the machine's interlocking, which is virtually impossible with the 1911 equipment in the interlocking. A new, problem-and-reliability-plagued electronic system is being installed and its temporary interface caused a similar incident in March, but a repeat of that should be unlikely. A good examination of the switch points and any event records would determine this. When picked, there is wear, breakage or marks on the points.
Train handling could have been faulty. While the Railroad's training department no longer discusses slack and buff actions with new engineers the effect of slack in the handling on MU's is minimal, making this not a likely cause. The location and grade makes train handling an unlikely cause though not one to ever be ruled out, and this could be examined on the event recorder records. Yet another new railroad spokesman said "The engineer did not appear to be speeding". Stupid remark by an inexperienced political hack.
Of course there is always the very unlikely possibility of vandalism, which is often thrown about simply to avoid official responsibility but almost never a valid cause here on the LIRR. The police usually press to immediately and correctly rule this out.
There's the preliminary list. Bosses from Transportation, M of E, Signal and Track must now look at the evidence and agree on a cause or fight off allegations between them. Often it's immediately clear, though sometimes it requires hours or days of investigation. No Track or Signal boss was on the property and none would report to work Sunday, so the investigation is being hampered.
As of 7:24 the wreck crew has not yet arrived at Jamaica, having declined, along with the rest of the restoration teams, calls for them to turn out on overtime during the past 18 hours. It is unprecedented in modern times that morale is so low emergency workers would not report in an emergency. But they have been publicly demeaned by President Williams over the past months in the media for working overtime.
There was small discussion among upper management of bringing in a subway or MetroNorth wreck crew, but it was dismissed as silly and of little benefit the few with any sense who were consulted.
------------------------
The Long Island Tool
"... overzealously discharges his duties;
...a "tool" of the administration"
The Long Island Tool
"... overzealously discharges his duties;
...a "tool" of the administration"
