Railroad Forums 

  • 12/22/95 - EFFINGHAM, ILLINOIS

  • Discussion related to the operations and equipment of Consolidated Rail Corp. (Conrail) from 1976 to its present operations as Conrail Shared Assets. Official web site can be found here: CONRAIL.COM.
Discussion related to the operations and equipment of Consolidated Rail Corp. (Conrail) from 1976 to its present operations as Conrail Shared Assets. Official web site can be found here: CONRAIL.COM.

Moderators: TAMR213, keeper1616

 #1454514  by shlustig
 
Night time occurrence.

STBN had stopped near the west end of the double-track in compliance with signal indication when it was rear-ended by Extra 5012 West (no symbol given in the report) at an impact speed of 27 mph while running on a Rule 290 Restricting Signal. 2 units and 21 cars were derailed, some of which obstructed the other main track. No emergency message was broadcast. Train NLPI came around a right-hand curve at 45 mph and ran into the obstructing wreckage derailing 4 units and 36 cars of that train. The wreckage caught fire.

The E and C of the X-5012 and the C of NLPI were fatalities, 2 others were injured, and the estimated cost was $12,000,000.
 #1454516  by Noel Weaver
 
Like a lot of other mishaps, non compliance with the rules. Probably restricted speed, one of the MOST important rules of them all although they are all important. So sad and needless.
Noel Weaver
 #1454522  by Wayside
 
Protecting adjacent tracks would have saved their lives. Such a simple thing to do, to get on the radio and announce the emergency as soon as possible, even if there was no knowledge of derailment or obstruction. :(
 #1454531  by ExCon90
 
I'm wondering whether these are the trains involved in a collision which occurred around that time and place: X5012 heard a radio transmission in which the dispatcher told STBN that after two eastbounds passed he would be able to proceed, and either the crew of X5012 misunderstood or miscounted and assumed after they met the first eastbound that the train ahead would be on the move and the signal would have cleared up by the time they got there. However, STBN was still being held for NLPI when X5012 caught up. A trainmaster who was driving in the area heard the last transmission from X5012: "Holy sh*t--we thought you were gone!"
 #1454602  by Wayside
 
Railroading by radio can bite you badly for sure. As I recall, a relative lack of operating experience was also a contributing factor.