Bad Amtrak wreck in Philadelpha

[Smike]

Um, because criminal law doesn't work that way?

 If the State of Pennsylvania thinks they have enough to charge the man for something (and of course they have to say they're "considering" it -- it's blatantly obvious that it's POSSIBLE that the man committed a criminal act, it would be irresponsible for them to not at least 'consider' it)

Looks like this may stay a criminal investigation, but taking a big turn away from the Engineer. Amtrak might have symbolically taken responsibility for thug(s) targeting trains.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I hate adding to useless speculation, and fueling the flames of this stuff.

But... I do remember, while in philly a few weeks ago with the Goon Squad, we heard Amtrak talking to the police about people rocking trains from abandoned buildings in the area, so it's not a new phenomenon.

[Missaberoad]

I hate adding to useless speculation, and fueling the flames of this stuff.

But... I do remember, while in philly a few weeks ago with the Goon Squad, we heard Amtrak talking to the police about people rocking trains from abandoned buildings in the area, so it's not a new phenomenon.

I was going to say isn't that relatively common? Part of the reason the F40's had the road warrior window shields?

[Scottl]

Even if you accept that "rocking" or equivalent was the catalyst, how does the train accelerate?   Is it like the movies where the engineer is rendered unconscious and slumps over the control stand, putting it into full throttle?  Then he comes to, realizes what is happening and hits the emergencies too late? 

[victor miranda]

when I read the engine was hit by a 'something'

one of the first things I thought; was the engineer knocked out?

the other thing I thought was that poor engineer
there will be no clear proof.
any contusions could be from the wreck itself.
and damage to the engine... again from the wreck.

and with him stating he does not know...
right now I am full of doubts.

from the photo the left window looks like wreck damage.
the circle to the right of the right wiper looks like a rock strike.

my head and heart hurt.
victor

[Scottl]

Is there an audio recording on trains, or just a data black box?

[up1950s]

So where was the engine located at the point it started to accelerate ? I was looking at 5PM just for a good blind for a slingshot sniper . There was a small baseball park on the north side , but I think that was too close to gain 36 MPH . There are a couple of overpasses but that is risky . Plenty of back of building spots . I was hoping to find a footpath through the brush to the game shop . Without that exact location of acceleration it could be anywhere or nowhere .

[up1950s]

Didn't they say they had an outward facing camera ? I guess that shows nothing or they would have mentioned it by now .

[seusscaboose]

I hate adding to useless speculation, and fueling the flames of this stuff.

But... I do remember, while in philly a few weeks ago with the Goon Squad, we heard Amtrak talking to the police about people rocking trains from abandoned buildings in the area, so it's not a new phenomenon.

Preach

[Smike]

No expert on what I'm looking at, those white circles look similar to gun shots in re-enfored glass.

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[davefoxx]

Dave, Do you really believe that? So if the engineer says "I don't remember what happened" Amtrak is going to say OK and put his name back on the call roster. If Amtrak is taking full responsibility, why is Philadelphia considering charging the engineer and not charging Amtrak? I read the Amtrak statement as Public Relations speak, how many people do you think right now are debating their ridership on Amtrak? Let me ask you this simple question, if the engineer felt safe in his position why did he get a lawyer? Here is a guy that grew up with an interest in trains and instead of going straight to his employer to fill out an accident report, he contacted his lawyer for advice. Makes you wonder why, just saying.

Rich,

I didn't post that article, because it's what I believe; I posted it, because I thought it was relevant to the conversation on attempted absolution by railroads.  I have refrained from stating my opinions regarding this tragic accident and, hopefully, will continue to do so, because (1) the investigation is not yet complete, (2) people in the U.S. are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty, and (3) speculation before the investigation is complete sometimes does more damage than good, e.g., Richard Jewell and his "trial by media."

Just this week, involving this accident, the mayor of Philadelphia stated, "Clearly, it was reckless in terms of the driving by the engineer. There’s no way in the world he should have been going that fast into the curve.”  See http://pjmedia.com/tatler/2015/05/14/ntsb-official-blasts-mayor-nutter-for-blasting-idiot-amtrak-engineer/.  I'm glad the NTSB official responded, because there are many that will take the mayor's statements as gospel.

Is the engineer guilty?  I don't know.  Was the mayor out of line for purely political purposes?  I don't know.  I just wish people could let these things get resolved without demanding (or creating their own) resolutions in CSI-style expedience.

DFF

[Smike]

Here is a cab view. Red level is the brake, the black lever on the left is the throttle.

[John]

Just curious .. is the NEC federal property?  In that case would PA have jurisdiction? 

[Rich_S]

Is there an audio recording on trains, or just a data black box?

The RailView does have a speaker, but it's only to record the horn and bell. The Event Recorder (so called black box that's actually orange) records other information, such as speed, throttle / dynamic position, reverser position, brake pipe pressure, brake cylinder pressure, horn.  There is nothing to record conversations like the cockpit recorder on airplanes.

[Rich_S]

Here is a cab view. Red level is the brake, the black lever on the left is the throttle.

Red handled lever is the Automatic Brake Handle. The lever just to the right of the Automatic brake handle is the Independent brake handle.

Black lever on the left is actually a combination handle. Pull back for throttle, push forward for regenerative braking.