Bad Amtrak wreck in Philadelpha

[up1950s]

This does not address the speed , but when nature calls while at speed , who is at the con ?

[eric220]

Alright, looks like we can put the gunshots argument to bed.

FBI: No evidence of firearm damage to train
http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/18/us/philadelphia-amtrak-train-derailment/index.html

They also mention in the article that "there was throttle movement". Also, based on the reports and the photo posted earlier in this thread, it would appear that the trottle is push the accelerate, pull to brake.

[Rich_S]

This does not address the speed , but when nature calls while at speed , who is at the con ?

You have to stop the train, call the dispatcher and tell him or her that you need to use the potty, then listen as they get update that you will be delaying the train. Since Amtrak only had one person in the cab, it would be my guess they hold it until the next station stop. If two people were in the cab, the second person would take over while the first person did what needed to be done.

[OldEastRR]

Does anybody here know what the speed limit was for the track section AFTER the Franklin Junction?

[nkalanaga]

Eric:  Thank you.  That answers two big questions.  Actually, push to accelerate makes sense.  To go forwards, push forwards!

OldEastRR:  I heard in one report that it goes back to "over 100 mph", but don't know if the interviewee knew what he was talking about, or how much over.

Mark:  Very good reasons for NOT saying whether the operator moved the throttle. 

Everybody:  I also think that the ACS64 should be grounded, or at least operationally restricted, until they have some answers.  With today's computerized locomotives there are a lot more ways to fail than in the older all-mechanical units, and software problems can be very tricky to find, while popping up seemingly at random.

[up1950s]

Even if there was / is a throttle problem , the air could have been dumped had the engineer been there . To get from 70 to 106 is a long time to have been not at the controls . That was prior to the tragedy smooth rails so you probably can't tell the speed by clicks and clacks . How telling is the traction motors whine wise ? How familiar was he with the speed sounds wherever he was on smooth rails ?

[Smike]

Does anybody here know what the speed limit was for the track section AFTER the Franklin Junction?

The section after is 110MPH track speed. Interesting enough that there is only signal controls or whatever in place on south bound traffic, as the higher difference in speed (110 down to 50), whereas the speed going northbound 70 to 50, does not, since in the event of train not slowing down from 70 would not cause a derailment through the curve, but going 110 would (obviously) 

It seems it all comes down to how and why did that throttle get pushed.

[Rich_S]

They also mention in the article that "there was throttle movement". Also, based on the reports and the photo posted earlier in this thread, it would appear that the trottle is push the accelerate, pull to brake.

That would be completely backwards to every other locomotive. I don't work for Amtrak so I can't answer 100% if they ordered something different from standard? I can tell you on diesel electrics with combination throttle / brake, you pull the throttle towards you to increase the throttle. Center is idle and push the handle away from you for dynamic braking. On standard control stands, throttles move right to left and dynamic brake handles move left to right. That throttle setup would also be opposite for standard braking. Push the automatic brake handle away from you to decrease the brake pipe, which increases the brake cylinder pressure. Not sure why they would deviate from standard practice? Everything else is push to slow or stop.

[Hyperion]

Probably what you get for buying European locomotives   

If you check this image here, you can clearly see that it says "T" as it goes forward and "B" as it goes rearward.

[Kisatchie]

Probably what you get for buying European locomotives   

Amtrak bought European locos? That's reason enough to cut Amtrak's budget!


Hmm... maybe no one in
the US makes passenger
locos...

[Rich_S]

Probably what you get for buying European locomotives   

If you check this image here, you can clearly see that it says "T" as it goes forward and "B" as it goes rearward.

I could see that being a problem in a panic situation. Red Handle (Automatic brake) push all the way forward for emergency. Far handle on right, Independent brake, push all the way forward for full application. In a panic situation, push throttle all the way forward thinking full dynamic, but in reality you're full throttle. I'm not saying that is what happened, but it's possible? I have one question, where is the reverser? 

[up1950s]

T , what is T Toward ?

On the news it said he was in the bathroom .

Was the dead man switch compromised ?

Was there also an I'm alert switch , and was that compromised , could it be done ?

[Dave V]

T , what is T Toward ?

Throttle.

[delamaize]

Amtrak bought European locos? That's reason enough to cut Amtrak's budget!


Hmm... maybe no one in
the US makes passenger
locos...

European design. the ACS-64 is a modified version of the Eurosprinter, built in  Florin, California. Actually, IMHO, most of the european locomotives are pretty damn good. I would venture to say better than what we have, at least when it comes to electrics.

[peteski]

European design. the ACS-64 is a modified version of the Eurosprinter, built in  Florin, California. Actually, IMHO, most of the european locomotives are pretty damn good. I would venture to say better than what we have, at least when it comes to electrics.

Um, why would we even compare contemporary European and U.S. electric locomotives?  Just look at the European and U.S. rail networks. There is no comparison. BTW, are there currently any U.S. designed and manufactured locos actively used on any of the U.S. railroads?