WHOOPS OR WHERE THE HELL ARE WE

[Bob Bufkin]

http://t.news.msn.com/us/amtrak-train-to-nyc-ends-up-in-philly-suburbs#tscptmf

[davefoxx]

Well, at least they didn't get far.  But, wow!  How does that happen?  I like that Amtrak reported that the train's crew is being held out of work until they undergo additional training.  Probably a good idea, since it doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize, "Hey, we aren't on the Northeast Corridor anymore."

DFF

[C855B]

Yeah, but... the train crew is not the one throwing the switches. Yes, they are the last check in the system for proper routing, but the DS or tower operator was the one who pressed the wrong buttons or pulled the wrong levers. The train crew undoubtedly saw the "unusual" signal indication for their train, likely thinking that it was an alternate routing through the junction for reasons unknown to them, and it wasn't until getting to the SEPTA stop that it dawned on them they weren't in Kansas any more. IOW, I will argue that it mostly wasn't their fault, they were just following "orders", only failing to question those orders. Pulling the crew off duty for "reeducation" is a waste of resources.

Anyway, we need more info. The MSN link linked to a Philadelphia Inquirer article with more details, but the PI site is paid access only.

[davefoxx]

Someone else throws the switches, but the article says the train crew missed a signal.  So, it might not be the fault of the one who threw the switch.  We'll have to wait and see as more information becomes available.  At least no one was hurt and there wasn't a cornfield meet.

DFF

[Ed Kapuscinski]

There are pictures too:
http://www.trainweb.org/phillynrhs/RPOTD131114.html

[cv_acr]

Someone else throws the switches, but the article says the train crew missed a signal.  So, it might not be the fault of the one who threw the switch.  We'll have to wait and see as more information becomes available.  At least no one was hurt and there wasn't a cornfield meet.

DFF

Didn't RTFA, but crews are supposed to be trained (no pun intended) and familiar with any route they're running on. They should have realized immediately that they ended up taking a wrong route.

[Dave V]

Begs the question...  Had this been a manned interlocking might someone have corrected it sooner?   

[Scottl]

Seems rather dangerous to me.  Glad it is just a funny incident and not an accident.

[davefoxx]

Didn't RTFA, but crews are supposed to be trained (no pun intended) and familiar with any route they're running on. They should have realized immediately that they ended up taking a wrong route.

That's my original point exactly.  I don't get to ride the train as much as I would like, but I believe that I would recognize immediately, if I was on board a train that was diverted from the Northeast Corridor.

DFF

[conrail98]

Read the link Ed put up. It explains what happened better then the original article,

Phil

[davefoxx]

Read the link Ed put up. It explains what happened better then the original article,

Phil

Got it.  I can see how that happened now.

DFF

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Yeah, but ya know, sensationalism sells ads...

[VonRyan]

Heard about this ahead of the curve via a Septa source.
He didn't have all that many details but his account of the detour was spot on.

[nkalanaga]

For someone who's never been anywhere near Philadelphia, how is Cynwyd pronounced???

[chicken45]

Did you hear about the Dreamliner that beached itself in Kansas?