Lets look over the January inspection results.
Track: 99 inspections found 666 defects and 17 violations(pending Fines),
failure to replace defective rails and joint bars, failure to make repairs on previously discovered defects.
Oper. practices: 149 inspections, 269 defects, 22 viol.s Mech. dept. working on equipment without using blue flag protection, rail cars standing on main without handbrakes (inexcusable, T&E)
Motive Power/ Equip.: 169, defects 2178, 101 viols., Initial terminal test, failure to ID defects, Ignoring freight car safety defects(mech. dept.)
safety& train Control: 88, 229 Defects, 34 viol.s cab signal records not on engine, dailey/after trip test not preformed(cab signal), (Merch. Dept.)
Haz.Mat. 78, 176 defects, 34 violations, tank cars with loose closures (Mech. and T&E), Train crews w/o Haz.Mat. shipping papers(inexcusable, T&E)
Of the 8 incidents which are noted on the report, the Cheektowaga, NY, boxcar off of overpass onto busy street resulted from broken frog. East Rochester derailment with cars off of overpass and into residentail area striking houses, was determined to be a broken rail. Brooks KY, derailment with Haz.Mat spill and fire, was a broken Joint bolt. North baltimore Ohio, wreck was one train derailing and striking anoth at a highway crossing causing several injuries. Was determined to be an insecured chain hanging from a railcar catching a switch handle opening switch points under the train. Syracuse, NY Mech employee struck by RC train, fatality. Determined to be RCO not watching shove move, equipment not illimunated, inadaquate lighting of yard. Selkirk, NY, another Mech. employee struck by an engine, fatality. Employee inattention. The other 2 I am not familiar with,(Woodstock, Md, and Patio, Ky)
Several years ago, I was almost killed in a wreck resulting from a runaway due to conductor bottling the air on the train. I take rule violations by fellow emoployees as a direct threat to me. Very serious, and take corrective action when I observe them. I do not wish to be the device of someone elses injury or death, nor my own. I, however can not correct the manner in which CSX maintains or fails to maintain the railroad which is a direct threat to my safety as well as fellow employees and the public. FRA's Boardman in a recent interview, stated that CSX's accident reduction trend appears to be continuing. However, increased traffic frequency and weight are wearing out the rail infastructure at a much faster rate and maintaince has not kept pace. CSX needs to increase it's maintainance practices to keep pace with the traffic now being run. Other railroad suffer derailments and accidents. But for some unfortunate circumstances, CSX has suffered more frequent, serious and publicized events. CSX needs to get itself back on track, and off the bulls eye. I truely hope it does.
Harleys and EMDs, some of my favorite rides