I've noticed that a number of recent Amtrak wrecks were due either to distractions or excessive speed--perhaps a combination of both. Yet as an old retiree I see it as a matter of hurried, or not enough, training on the Division upon which these wrecks have occurred. Qualifying, we called it. And it seems to me that one MUST know every hill, every curve, every crossing, must be familiar with every inch of terrain the train traverses. even in the dark. I know that on NS, Safety was #1 and it just seems to me that an engineer who is not situationally aware enough to know that he is approaching a 30 MPH curve at 80 MPH, of course, should never have been allowed to operate an engine in the first place. Most railroad division in the US have anomalies from one end to the other, and you'd think that people would be responsible enough to take their duties VERY seriously and always be aware of their railroad. That doesn't seem to be happening.
Are we TRAINING new people adequately? Are we hiring every warm body that shows up, slappin' 'em in a cab and, after a short tutorial, turning them loose on an unsuspecting public? Are we emphasizing SAFETY and how SERIOUS their responsibilies are? Are we THAT desperate for help? Are we succumbing to the "romance of the rails" and trivializing just how serious and just how dangerous railroading IS? I dunno; you tell ME. But when I first saw the recent wreck and groaned, "Oh no, NOT another one", I thought there must be a trend, a common denominator. Then, as the news cameras scanned across the scene of the rail cars hanging off the bridge, I saw that curve. I figured that speed had something, no, a LOT, to do with it. Having BEEN a railroader, I see it differently than a casual viewer. That curve caught my eye right away. Then there was the reports of possibly 80 MPH in a 30 MPH speed restriction, and I thought, "ARE you INSANE".
I wasn't there, that's for sure. It just makes me wonder from MY perspective all those thoughts above, just what has changed since I was on the yards? I just don't remember so many wrecks, and I know Southern and NS simply wouldn't HAVE it. Tho NS mostly handles freight, I know their culture and they were sticklers on track maintenance and engineer safety. THAT is, ALL employee safety concerns. And always shows up when there's a derailment somewhere and it is RARELY an Norfolk Southern train (it's usually that *other* competitor ). Its a testament to a commitment to Safety. "Safety Pays Dividends".
What's going on these days???????
Are we TRAINING new people adequately? Are we hiring every warm body that shows up, slappin' 'em in a cab and, after a short tutorial, turning them loose on an unsuspecting public? Are we emphasizing SAFETY and how SERIOUS their responsibilies are? Are we THAT desperate for help? Are we succumbing to the "romance of the rails" and trivializing just how serious and just how dangerous railroading IS? I dunno; you tell ME. But when I first saw the recent wreck and groaned, "Oh no, NOT another one", I thought there must be a trend, a common denominator. Then, as the news cameras scanned across the scene of the rail cars hanging off the bridge, I saw that curve. I figured that speed had something, no, a LOT, to do with it. Having BEEN a railroader, I see it differently than a casual viewer. That curve caught my eye right away. Then there was the reports of possibly 80 MPH in a 30 MPH speed restriction, and I thought, "ARE you INSANE".
I wasn't there, that's for sure. It just makes me wonder from MY perspective all those thoughts above, just what has changed since I was on the yards? I just don't remember so many wrecks, and I know Southern and NS simply wouldn't HAVE it. Tho NS mostly handles freight, I know their culture and they were sticklers on track maintenance and engineer safety. THAT is, ALL employee safety concerns. And always shows up when there's a derailment somewhere and it is RARELY an Norfolk Southern train (it's usually that *other* competitor ). Its a testament to a commitment to Safety. "Safety Pays Dividends".
What's going on these days???????