It was not the late 90's it was the late 80/early 90's
I worked the job a few days later off the list.
It was the old run 1, the AM round trip to Montauk
I think it was during warm weather, I am not sure.
Chris, was it 2702 then, or Train 2? (same train but they changed the numbers)
As the train started to move at sayville, Brian had just entered the first car which had been closed to the public.
As he turned to slide the door closed in the deadhead car, Brain noticed a passenger stumble off the moving train.
He went down to make sure the pasenger was alright, then attempted to re-board the moving train.
On the old equipment, their were grab irons on both side of the steps.
The old timers were taught to grab the grab iron on the side of the steps, in the direction the train was moving, (the far side) not the one behind the steps.
This way, if the train was moving too fast, the speed of the train would naturaly pull the person and swing them onto the steps.
Sadly, by that time, the RR had started worrying more about customer awareness classes, and political correctness classes.
Brian had not had basic safety instructions, but we are sure he went to the classes mentioned above.
Brian, grabbed the iron behind the steps, and the motion of the train pulled him and swung him between the cars.
He could not hold on and went under.
So he did die helping a passenger.
Thats just the way he was, he had been an NYC cop before he came to the RR, and had a good serve the public attitude.
His widow and family were taken care of as I recall.
Many of us had payroll deductions taken out of our salaries to help.
As Chris had said, there were also lapel pins made and the proceeds were given to his family.
I am not privy to the facts, but from what I understand the RR bent some rules to provide also.
I believe there was also UTU accidental death insurance too.
Yes , it was the same Engineer that was operating the train at the herricks road accident.
He has no blame whatsoever for either accident, sad though that he had to be there for both.
I know both accidents really troubled him.
Herricks road was 1982, this was a few years later.
Chris, can ya tell us what year that was? As I recall you were on that train that night, deadheading home.
Let us know.