amtrak-csx-trains-collide-in-south-carolina-injuries-reported

[John]

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/02/04/amtrak-csx-trains-collide-in-south-carolina-injuries-reported.html

https://twitter.com/LCSD_News/status/960085184002617344/photo/1

http://abcnews.go.com/US/amtrak-passenger-train-collides-freight-train-sc-injuries/story?id=52826058

[mecgp7]

Another railroad collision:
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/02/04/amtrak-csx-trains-collide-in-south-carolina-injuries-reported.html
I am not a railroad employee and have no experience with real railroads, but I don't get train collisions in this day and age. I totally get derailments, etc., but how do two trains run into each other with all the technology available today.
Two vehicles on the same track. It seems like GPS could lock in on that and send a warning. Block sensors? I don't know as I have no clue about real railroading, but if we have cars that can drive themselves, why not computers that sense two trains on the same piece of track?

I'm sure I am oversimplifying it, but would love to hear from those in the know on how these events occur.

[Philip H]

Full implementation of ptc will significantly reduce this, but Amtrak is known to be behind the curve. My guess is this one will come down to someone not reading a signal that was set against them.

[John]

[Scottl]

On a curve...  Does not look good for the crews of either train.

It shocks me that this can still happen. 

[John]

The P42 must have climbed right up on top of the CSX unit from the looks of the damage .. wow

[central.vermont]

Not only that but where or what is left of the front half of that P42!!!!
Jon

[learmoia]

Looks like a true head on.. couldn't pin point the area on a map to see if it'd be someone running a red into a switch, or 2 trains on the same main..  you can see the Amfleet car buckled from the impact..   fast enough for the P42 to ride up and over, but not fast enough to scatter cars everywhere.. 30mphish?

~Ian

[John]

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Pine+Ridge+Dr,+West+Columbia,+SC+29172/@33.9081159,-81.0683688,343m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x88f8bea336ae6d4d:0x9745af8619392953!8m2!3d33.9072864!4d-81.0957157

Appears to be by the lead to an autorack loading / unloading facility

[central.vermont]

Looking at that arial view the autorack train was on the siding so for some reason the switch was set for them to come out. I'm sure that as soon as the 91 saw this they were most likely in a hard stop going into the siding just not enough warning.
Jon

[mecgp7]

Even with people missing signals. One would think computers would stop the train(s) or send a warning.

[mu26aeh]

Screen shots taken from drone video







Listening to news feed, 2:35am was time of accident.  2 casualties are from Amtrak train.  Again, this is only reported on news station, not confirmed that I have seen. 

[John]

Full implementation of ptc will significantly reduce this, but Amtrak is known to be behind the curve. My guess is this one will come down to someone not reading a signal that was set against them.

Hard to say .. if that's CTC, and the switches were lined improperly, it could be the DS that screwed up ..  but all of those ideas are pure speculation for now .. I'm sure NTSB will have something to say soon ..

[delamaize]

Full implementation of ptc will significantly reduce this, but Amtrak is known to be behind the curve. My guess is this one will come down to someone not reading a signal that was set against them.

From what I understand, the only reason PTC has not been fully implemented on Amtrak is because of funding. Which falls back on our government, who are more concerned with making the opposite party look bad, than actually doing their jobs.

[Lenny53]

Not only that but where or what is left of the front half of that P42!!!!
Jon

Appears to be folded under the unit.