At 3:40AM Train #2 ("Erie Ltd." ?) Eng. 2944 and 8 cars approached RU Tower at the xg of the B&O mainline on an "Approach" signal and received another "Approach" indication at the Home Signal. Moving at 30 mph, the locomotive and head 4 cars derailed at the movable-point frog with the 2944 stopping on its right side with the derailed cars remaining upright but blocking both the westbound B&O main and both Erie mains. The Engineer was killed and the Fireman was injured.
The investigation disclosed that the tower operator could not clear a route for #2 and called for the on-duty signal maintainer. Apparently, they defeated the interlocking mechanisms to release the locking feature and allow a proceed signal to be displayed without physically checking the route.
The investigation disclosed that the tower operator could not clear a route for #2 and called for the on-duty signal maintainer. Apparently, they defeated the interlocking mechanisms to release the locking feature and allow a proceed signal to be displayed without physically checking the route.
