(http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2005/01/27/train_suicide_wideweb__430x307.jpg)
Y'all might not know about this, but shortly after the METRO-LINK fatal crash in Southern California. There were several more near misses and finally another horrific crash. This one didn't kill anyone, but certainly hurt a handful.
Your old Monster of Mobility read the reports and told some of you this smells of signal errors.
The NTSB went out on a limb with the State of California to "hang" the train crews involved, but their hearts softened when it was discovered that the RED light on the signal couldn't be seen from the track except under nearly perfect circumstances. Bravo for humanity boys!
But OOPS! Guess again...
The engineer, the conductor, and 3 passengers at the Chatsworth station ALL testified that that damn signal wasn't red... IT WAS GREEN!
The State of California has made the stupid move of stating "We stand by our first findings... the crew is at fault... they should have known that was a hard light to see..." WTF? DUH?
Um, you Sacramendummys might want to listen to the folks with the cameras! IT WAS GREEN IDIOTS! Humm? Why?
Well I can tell you that once upon a time the entire Rock Island Railroad was shut down for two days because a large ant inside the signal, bridged an electrical circuit. Yes the ant fried himself, but the bad short caused every signal for 100's of miles to go DEAD RED! Now for you non railroaders out there, you don't just pass a red signal. No traffic cop shows up to wave you through. Won't happen. Signals are absolute, and many are interlocked into the locomotives "brain" so unless you want every brake on every engine and car locked up, you DON'T RUN SIGNALS. In many cases you simply can't.
More? Okay, the signals are set by relays in air conditioned little boxes along the track. These are delicate and very high tech computer systems. They are NOT fool proof. They are still more reliable then aircraft controls and if you don't feel safe on MetroLink, perhaps you need a few more miles in a 737.
The NTSB has restarted the investigation with the new testamony in the case, this is going to be interesting! Even more interesting, this is the second crash in the same spot. If that first and fatal crash was because the train had a false green light, then all the circus about text messages will mean NOTHING at all.
(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/40/98196065_841bde195a.jpg?v=0)
OCKLAWAHA
If you'd like to listen in on METROLINK live, as it happens. Check out:
http://www.railroadradio.net/content/view/17/129/
This is some intense traffic control radio broadcasting.
OCKLAWAHA