On the New York Division between Suffern (SF Tower) and Newburg Jct. (NJ Tower); double-track ABS with the current of traffic and MBS against.
EXTRA 703 EAST (3 units / 115 cars + caboose) was routed via the eastward main track with work to do at Hilburn west of Suffern. At 5:15AM Dispatcher issued Form 31 TO to SF and form 19 TO to NJ to allow #50 (Eng. 859 / 4 cars) to operate against the current of traffic on the westward main track. #50 acknowledged the TO signal and received the TO at NJ.
Operator at SF failed to display the TO signal and block the appropriate levers on the interlocking machine. When #53 (Eng. 1402 / 5 cars) hit the bell, he displayed a Clear signal.
The trains did not have a good distant view of each other until just before impact with both trains doing about 25 mph. Casualties were 5 dead and37 injured.
EXTRA 703 EAST (3 units / 115 cars + caboose) was routed via the eastward main track with work to do at Hilburn west of Suffern. At 5:15AM Dispatcher issued Form 31 TO to SF and form 19 TO to NJ to allow #50 (Eng. 859 / 4 cars) to operate against the current of traffic on the westward main track. #50 acknowledged the TO signal and received the TO at NJ.
Operator at SF failed to display the TO signal and block the appropriate levers on the interlocking machine. When #53 (Eng. 1402 / 5 cars) hit the bell, he displayed a Clear signal.
The trains did not have a good distant view of each other until just before impact with both trains doing about 25 mph. Casualties were 5 dead and37 injured.
