Thanks to "GaryL" of LocoNotes for forwarding this. The locomotive in question was BNSF SD70ACe #9159
NTSB wrote:"On April 17, 2011, about 6:55 a.m. central daylight time, eastbound BNSFFull text at: http://www.ntsb.gov/news/events/2012/re ... index.html
Railway coal train C-BTMCNM0-26, BNSF 9159 East, collided with the rear end
of standing BNSF Railway maintenance of way equipment train U-BRGCRI-15,
BNSF 9470 East, near Red Oak, Iowa. The accident occurred near milepost
448.3 on main track number two on the Creston Subdivision of the BNSF
Railway Nebraska Division. The collision resulted in the derailment of 2
locomotives and 12 cars. As a result of collision forces, the lead
locomotive's modular crew cab was detached, partially crushed, and involved
in a subsequent diesel fuel fire. Both crewmembers on the striking train
were fatally injured. Damage was in excess of $8.7 million"
Conclusions-excerpted
1. Because the isolated locomotive cab module detached from the deck of
the locomotive and was subsequently rotated and crushed, the crew could not
have survived.
2. Although the current locomotive crashworthiness standards include a
procedure to validate alternative locomotive crashworthiness designs that
are not consistent with any Federal Railroad Administration-approved
locomotive crashworthiness design standard, this requirement was not
effective in identifying the modular operating cab as an alternate design.
Probable Cause
Contributing to the severity of collision damage to the locomotive cab of
the striking coal train was the absence of crashworthiness standards for
modular locomotive crew cabs.
Recommendations New Recommendations *To the Federal Railroad Administration:
*
6. Revise Title 49 *Code of Federal Regulations* Part 229 to ensure the
protection of the occupants of isolated locomotive operating cabs in the
event of a collision. Make the revision applicable to all locomotives,
including the existing fleet and those newly constructed, rebuilt,
refurbished, and overhauled, unless the cab will never be occupied.
7. Revise Title 49 *Code of Federal Regulations* Part 229 to require
crashworthiness performance validation for all new locomotive designs under
conditions expected in a collision.
*To the Association of American Railroads:*
8. Revise Association of American Railroads Standard S-580 to provide
protection for the occupants of isolated operating cabs in the event of a
collision, and make the revision applicable to all locomotives, including
those newly constructed, rebuilt, refurbished, and overhauled.
MEC407
Moderator:
Pan Am Railways — Boston & Maine/Maine Central — Delaware & Hudson
Central Maine & Quebec/Montreal, Maine & Atlantic/Bangor & Aroostook
Providence & Worcester — New England — GE Locomotives
Moderator:
Pan Am Railways — Boston & Maine/Maine Central — Delaware & Hudson
Central Maine & Quebec/Montreal, Maine & Atlantic/Bangor & Aroostook
Providence & Worcester — New England — GE Locomotives