"AMTRAK CEO: RAILROAD TAKES 'FULL RESPONSIBILITY' FOR CRASH"

[appalachiablue]

Last edited Fri May 15, 2015, 01:22 PM - Edit history (2)

"AMTRAK CEO: RAILROAD TAKES 'FULL RESPONSIBILTY' FOR CRASH"

AP/Associated Press

By Geoff Mulvihill and Michael Kunzelman, Associated Press

1 hour ago

PHILADELPHIA- As federal investigators try to find out why an Amtrak train that crashed in Philadelphia sped up in the last minute before it derailed, Amtrak's top official said the railroad takes full responsibility for the deadly wreck.

Joseph Boardman, Amtrak President and CEO, said in a letter on Amtrak's official blog Thursday that it is cooperating fully in an investigation into the accident that killed eight people and injured more than 200 this week.

"With truly heavy hearts, we mourn those who died. Their loss leaves holes in the lives of their families and communities", Boardman wrote. "Amtrak takes full responsibility and deeply apologizes for our role in this tragic event."

He said the railroad's goal is "to fully understand what happened and how we can prevent a similar tragedy in the future."

Meanwhile, the National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday that in the last minute or so before the derailment, the Washington-to-New York train sped up from 70 mph until it reached more than 100 mph at a sharp bend where the maximum speed is supposed to be 50 mph.

Board member Robert Sumwalt said it is unclear whether the speed was increased manually by engineer Brandon Bostian. So far, investigators have found no problems with the track, the signals or the locomotive, and the train was running on time, Sumwalt said.

READ FULL ARTICLE at the Link including *VIDEO.
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/amtrak-ceo-railroad-takes-full-responsibility-for-crash/ar-BBjO7VM?ocid=ASUDHP

** UPDATE, 14 mins ago **

"WRECKAGE REMOVED FROM AMTRAK CRASH SITE" AP/Associated Press

by Geoff Mulvihill and Michael Kunzelman, Associated Press.

Initial report plus added information about the accident and engineer Brandon Bostian.

READ MORE:
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/amtrak-ceo-railroad-takes-full-responsibility-for-crash/ar-BBjO7VM?ocid=ASUDHP

[ChisolmTrailDem]

1. Why does that sound like Amtrak knew about something that could...

...result in such a disaster?

And, where does this "full responsibility" leave the conductor, Bostian. I know since he works for Amtrak they would still have responsibility. But it's almost as if they're deflecting any responsibility from the conductor. Usually the employer tries to deflect blame to the operator in an accident.

[In_The_Wind]

2. Could it be

because if they installed a safety switch, invented in 1920, the accident could have been avoided.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

5. I hope so. I also hope that the conductor is not somehow at fault. His lawyer says he...

...doesn't remember the moment of the accident. I wonder too if maybe he had a medical incident, such as a siezure or blackout of some sort.

But not remembering the accident could be a defense against possible culpability.

[TheCowsCameHome]

7. Not to nitpick, but Bostian is not the conductor.

I see this in almost every thread, and it drives me nuts.

Minor point, but worth correcting.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

9. My bad. Engineer, correct? nt

[TheCowsCameHome]

10. Yes. I apologize if I sounded harsh

I see and hear this all over the news outlets, too. It's a common mistake, but having been an engineer, it's of those things that kind of bugs me.

Please don't take it personally, ok?

[ChisolmTrailDem]

12. Not a problem, TCCH! ...

Thank you for clarifying. I guess I kinda knew the difference but, not coming from that world, I got sucked into using the word conductor to refer to the engineer even though conductors do not actually operate the train.

[former9thward]

11. The Black Box remembers.

Even if the engineer puts up the well known 'I don't recall defense'. He was speeding long before the curve. That Amtrak engine is equipped with a dead man button which must be hit twice a minute or else the train automatically stops. If he had a medical incident the train would have stopped.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

13. Hmmm...well, the plot thickens. Time will tell. nt

[TheCowsCameHome]

14. It's possible to beat the alerter under certain conditions

and on top of that, a lot of ground gets covered in 30 seconds when you're cracking along @ 100 per..........

[appalachiablue]

15. If you read the new UPDATE from 30 mins ago at the bottom of the OP there is more

info. about the accident aftermath and the train engineer, Bostian who was very conscientious, upstanding and a good person according to friends. His lawyer said Bostian suffered a concussion and has agreed to talk to federal accident investigators in the coming days, the NTSB said.

I agree that Amtrak might know something. Also that some employers/corps. often let blame build on the operator through the press. Amtrak has considered all, and chose to come forth with the CEO's statement of responsibility today.

Glad Amtrak hasn't had a 'hang 'em high' attitude allowing press frenzy for days and weeks, like some other accident cases I don't want to discuss here.

[onehandle]

3. Granted, but I blame the GOPNRAteahadist Congress too.

Boehner and company are strangling your operation.

Literally killing people.


Literally

[drray23]

4. our trains are antiquated.

In France, they used to have horrible accidents decades ago. After that, they implemented a number of technological safeguards to avoid it. None of them as complex as this GPS driven positive train control which is the ultimate.

First, there is a deadman switch on french trains. As the engineer, you have to press a bar while the train is moving. If you release it for too long the train automatically brakes and stop.
Secondly, all the signals communicate electronically with the train. You have to acknowledge them by pressing a button. If you fail to do so within a certain amount of time, the train automatically brakes and either stops (if this was a red signal ) or reduces the speed to the allowed speed. This was installed in the early 1980's.

[appalachiablue]

16. Interesting info. about France's simpler technological safeguards than the

much discussed *PTC, Positive Train Control. I've read of the deadman's switch in recent news including remarks that it's on freight/cargo trains, others note it's on passenger trains. Maybe both I think.

Much of our US railroad service is ancient, shameful and dangerous. A relative worked for CSX (C&O) many years as an environmental analyst of waterways and land areas before all heck broke loose with Raygun.

Indian American friends who travel regularly to the UK & Scandinavia remark on advanced, modern transportation systems in Belgium, Norway & Sweden like airports, subways & trains, in contrast to much of the US.
____

FRANCE'S TGV HIGH SPEED TRAIN with its Paris hub interconnects with France and Europe. Speed averages 200 mph; world record set over 350 mph in 2007. Took it from Paris SW to Bordeaux, France in summer- modern, smooth and fast with views of sunflower fields out the car windows.




MAP OF FRANCE'S TGV HIGH SPEED TRAIN ROUTES IN EUROPE

?itok=TVv7v58z

[n2doc]

6. Which means nothing

They will still be sued by the survivors and relatives of the deceased, and the US taxpayer will pay up. And the folks who keep cutting the budget will have nothing happen to them.

[Oneironaut]

8. The infrastructure in the northeast is a mess.

Everything is old, flimsy/vulnerable, or both. Compare the infrastructure in the Northeast to cities further West - western cities are far superior and more advanced. Part of the problem is the lack of political will to do anything, since it costs money. They would rather let it rot and even kill others than being the one to spend money.

I always hope that events like this spark a movement to update the failing infrastructure in the Northeast, but it never happens.