superwarp1 wrote:Start with right when you see something in the crossing, to how you report it, what the railroad does to clear the line and how the railroad work with local authorities to investigate what happened.
A) when you see something in the crossing as a truck and you know you cant stop in time "praying its not a propaine or Gasoline truck"
1. We are taught to continuously Lay on the Horn, and my class at Engineer school was told to wait until the last possible second to Dump the train (put the automatic train brakes into emergency) and "Bail off"or actuate the Independant brake to save the locomotives wheels from sliding causing"Severly Flat spots on the wheels". This last part will be argued by engineers out there but that is what we are told at CSX.
2. If your unfortune and strike a Vehicle at a Grade crossing . the Enginner stays in the locomotive to Makes all the nessesary Radio calls " Emergency emergency emergency" your Train Number and Mile post and Location of the incident to the train dispatcher.
while this is going on the Conductor grabs a Copy of the Train orders and any Hazmat info and then proceeds to the Wreck to see if he can assist the person or persons involved and on the way Checks the train to see if the train is on the Tracks and if any cars are derailed..Common sence then Radios his findings to the Head end.
3. If your unfortunite and strike a Vehicle at a Grade crossing everyone and there mothers show up. we the Crew only answer to Railroad officials and nobody but the Railroad not even a cop until the Railroad officials show up on the Sceane. Give your Employee Number and Your Road formans name or supervisors name...Only there is reasons why.
Railroad Officials that show up: Trainmasters, Road forman, Claims agent, Track Supervisors and track personal..Many Track guys, A Car repairman and eventually another Crew to Recrew to move the train.
More People: Local cops, State Cops, Fireman & trucks and Ambulance, Hazmat Team, Local newspaper and TV News and Various qurious people
B) the Investagation into the Incident:
All Class #1 Railroads Carry a "Black Box" or event recorder that records the Whole history of the locomotive trip ( Some ive been told are able to go back 30 Days..?) anyways this box is able to tell exactly what took place during the trip, its able to tell Many things:
Speeds, in our area Signal indication, throttle position, Reverser position, traction motor Amperage, brake cylinder pressure, Main resevior pressure, Brake application when and in feet to and from the incident, Radio Comunication, Lights, bells and Horn...and many other features some 30 other I believe. not to mention if the Locomotive is equiped with a Micro-proccesor to be Downloaded along with the "Black Box" info all in the Roadformans Laptop computer infact all the trains locomotive consist is downloaded. and then this info is studied and studied again 3 times to make sure the Crew did there job correctly. and Then its discussed among the officals to see if they can "Hang the Crew" especially if a Fatality or Major damage done to the System or equipment. the railroad needs a Scape Goat to take the fall incase of faulty equipment, Track or crew.... The railroad Never takes the Blame it must be Human error.
I must tell you this is sadly true fortunitly Not for me this senario anyways But know for a Fact that this happens to many this way.
C) Railroad operations:
Depending on the Condition or damage of Track, Train and actual Train Traffic on the Line. all the Railroad officials pull together amazingly and Reroute if nessesary, Rerail if nessesary and clean up to get train traffic moving ASAP.
Last but not least the crew:
As for the Crew the railroad is suppost to provide support and make avalible Comfort in a Psychiatrist to or concelor to talk to..Ive yet to have either of this service provided through what they Refure to as a reponce team or "Go Team" ........Never even a Call from a Supervisor or an Engineers friend "Your Road forman"......... Ha to see how you are doing
Hope this sheds some light on your question...
thanks for the Time
Another tidbit of info I noticed whil reviewing this on the Incident Log was that it said two crew members were taken to the hospital, whereas usually it says with minor injuries and this didn't, I hope they are ok and didn't suffer from burns from when the truck cab and their lead locomotive caught fire.