NTSB: BNSF train ignored stop signal before collision

One of BNSF’s two trains involved in the June 28 collision in Panhandle, Texas, which left three dead and one injured, passed through a stop signal at about 65 mph prior to the collision, according to a preliminary report issued by the National Transportat    The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed one of BNSF’s trains involved in the collision June 28 in Panhandle, Texas had passed through a stop signal before the collision, based on a preliminary review of the signal event recorder data and tests of the signal system.
   The collision of two BNSF trains, which left three dead and one injured, occurred at 8:21 a.m. central daylight time at milepost 525.4. At the time of the accident, the weather was clear and 74 degrees Fahrenheit.
   Each of the trains were crewed with one locomotive engineer and one conductor.
   Eastbound train S-LACLP1-26K, which ran through the stop signal, consisted of three head-end locomotives, two distributive power units and 56 loaded cars. Westbound train Q-CHISBD6-27L was equipped with five head-end locomotives and 54 loaded cars.
   “The signal system was lined to route the westbound train into the Panhandle control point siding at milepost 526.1, while holding the eastbound train on the main track before the east end of the siding,” NTSB said. “The collision, which caused the derailment of the locomotives and several cars from both trains, occurred about one-half mile east of the east switch (east end) of the Panhandle siding.”
   The engineer of the westbound train, who jumped from the train prior to the impact, was the only crew member on the two trains to survive.
   The eastbound train was traveling at about 62 mph when it went by the approach signal at the west end of the Panhandle siding, based on a preliminary review of the locomotive event recorder data. An approach signal requires that a train reduce its speed to a maximum of 40 mph. After speeding through the approach signal, the train passed through the stop signal at about 65 mph.
   The investigation into the collision is still ongoing, NTSB said.
   Looking ahead, BNSF is scheduled to implement a positive train control (PTC) system in the area where the collision occurred by the end of the year.
   PTC is a federally mandated communication system that can override a conductor. The system, which relies on GPS, wireless radio and computers, can slow or stop a train, thus preventing accidents from occurring.
   Railways have expressed concern over PTC, claiming it is complicated and expensive, but supporters of the system say it will drastically improve railroad safety.