Train Crash in Washington

[SteamWake]

Originally Posted by bookworm_020

All the trains here in Sydney have dataloggers (black boxes) to record all speeds and actions of the drivers. The trains aren't automated, as the driver has full control at all times (well that is the theory!).

Signallers can hold a train at a red light or call them through to the next signal. But there is always one signal between trains. If you pass a signal at stop, two things happen, an alarm goes off at train headquarters, and the train's brakes get tripped and apply automaticly. If you don't have authority to pass the signal, the driver can expect to be hauled over the coals and even fired.

There has been multiply failures in this accident. To just blame the driver is a poor man's way of hidding the truth. After a couple of bad crashes here in Sydney alot of leasons were learned, but some of them were slow to be acted upon, which caused futher problems.

I feel sorry for the family of the driver who died, and the one who lived. I'm a trainee driver here in Sydney and can only guess how they would be feeling.

These trains are supposed to have all that except that one of these were 'older' models and did not have the data loggers installed. For whatever reason the ABS failed.