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Metra clears engineer after re-enactment <br />(The following article by Maureen O’Donnell was posted on the Chicago Sun Times website on November 28.) <br /> <br />CHICAGO -- A Department of Homeland Security camera may play a key role in probing last week's Metra train accident in Elmwood Park. <br /> <br />Images from the camera -- which is positioned to monitor the Grand Avenue crossing -- will be enhanced to remove graininess, said investigative officials, who on Sunday performed a re-enactment of the chain-reaction wreck. <br /> <br />The Homeland Security camera "captured -- on video -- the scene before, during and after the crash," said Metra spokeswoman Judy Pardonnet. <br /> <br />"I think they will use it as an additional public-awareness tool on the danger of stopping on the track." <br /> <br />The Antioch-bound train struck vehicles that were blocking the track in the 7600 block of Grand during Wednesday's afternoon rush. By Metra's count, the accident injured 16 and damaged 17 cars. <br /> <br />'Engineer acted appropriately' <br /> <br />Sunday's re-enactment, staged by investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board, the Federal Railroad Administration and the Illinois Commerce Commission, used a slow-moving train and positioned cars on the track at the Grand crossing. <br /> <br />Probers used a laser to check distances, said Pardonnet and NTSB spokesman Paul Schlamm. "They want to see what the engineer could see and when he could see it," Pardonnet said. <br /> <br />The engineer and crew members are "in good standing," Pardonnet added. "The signals all appear to be working properly, and the engineer acted appropriately. . . . He was very observant. As soon as he saw the vehicles obstructing the track, he immediately put the train into the emergency brake mode and alerted the dispatcher of an emergency." <br /> <br />NTSB acting director Mark Rosenker sees the crash as an opportunity to educate motorists, Pardonnet said. "He thought that this would be a model for rail safety throughout the world . . . there were so many vehicles involved." <br /> <br />"Drivers have to be aware they are just inching along, bumper to bumper, and stopped on the railroad tracks," Schlamm said. "The potential was there for a much more serious event." <br /> <br />From BLET site <br /> <br /> <br />
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