Google Earth view of the area that I annotated a bit
Train was operating on CSX #1 track (Westward or North track) and (from news pictures I saw) it was crossed over to #2 (Eastward or South track that is adjacent to Amtrak tracks ) in the part I have annotated 'Common Right of Way'. From the news footage I was, the Westbound train stopped with its two engines and maybe 2 cars on #2 track with the balance of the train throught the crossovers at the control point known as F Tower. The head end of the train appeared to be entirely in the limit of the F Tower control point.
In the area of the 'Common Right of Way' CSX and Amtrak tracks 'appear' to have 'standard spaceing' between them.
As can be seen, Westbound (or South if you prefer) Amtrak's come around a curve before entering the area of Common Right of Way (with 80 MPH being the authorized speed). With the area being 'in the city'; between street lights and other lights there would have been a high degree of background lighting that would have diminished the noticability of the Amtrak headlight. Unknown if Amtrak was sounding horn and/or ringing bell for passing equipment on an adjacent track. I am guessing the CSX employees crossed to Amtrak property to complete their return to the head end after having come from the rear of the train to F Tower walking up CSX #2 track. I don't know if the CSX employees were ON Amtrak track or were in the 'center ditch' between CSX #2 track and the nearest Amtrak track. I am guessing they were in the center ditch but not clear of the width of the Amtrak equipment and never, for whatever reasons, noticed the approach of the Amtrak train.
One of those killed was the son of one of my supervisors before I retired. (click on the picture to expand it)
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
BaltACD. Once a incident happens - railroad - highway - waterway or other location the scene is then in the hands of the local authorities PERIOD. From experience, they don't want to be told what to do or hurried in their duties - if pressured they just slow down all the more.
Once a incident happens - railroad - highway - waterway or other location the scene is then in the hands of the local authorities PERIOD. From experience, they don't want to be told what to do or hurried in their duties - if pressured they just slow down all the more.
blue streak 1 BaltACD What is the 'better way' for VRE or any other organization to handle these kinds of situations? How these investigations are being handled needs speeding up. We had a simple accident on I-85 involving a law enforcement officer. No fatalities. Closed one direction of interstate for over 5 hours. It is time to stop every Tom, Dick & Harry butting in on investigations. 9 hours for the Amtrak - CSX investigation ? There is an unconfirmed report on another site that someone in NJ government sent out an order and now all accident investiations are closed much quicker. At a certain level how many persons, businesses, government operations were delayed, cancelled, rescheduled, etc by the Amtrak, CSX, MARC mess yesterday ? .
BaltACD What is the 'better way' for VRE or any other organization to handle these kinds of situations?
What is the 'better way' for VRE or any other organization to handle these kinds of situations?
How these investigations are being handled needs speeding up. We had a simple accident on I-85 involving a law enforcement officer. No fatalities. Closed one direction of interstate for over 5 hours. It is time to stop every Tom, Dick & Harry butting in on investigations. 9 hours for the Amtrak - CSX investigation ? There is an unconfirmed report on another site that someone in NJ government sent out an order and now all accident investiations are closed much quicker.
At a certain level how many persons, businesses, government operations were delayed, cancelled, rescheduled, etc by the Amtrak, CSX, MARC mess yesterday ? .
Three letters - CSI
Every local agency now thinks they have to do a FULL CSI style investigation of any and every incident and all that takes time. Additionally first responders can not pronounce a individual dead, it takes an official Coroner or his representative and in the Metropolitan DC area, the coroner does not remove the body from the scene - a private service is contracted to perform that action. Time Time Time - responders are on the clock and getting paid for their time.
Predestrian strike completely gummed up VRE. There has to be a better way. MARC & Amtrak on the Penn line as well !
VRE Train Talk Alert <vre@public.govdelivery.com> Our trains can still only get as far as Burke Centre. Once Manassas Line #337 (Departs Union Station 6:50pm) arrives Burke, all passengers will disembark and board buses to their final destination station. 6:40pm There may be a slight delay offloading the Manassas #333 at Burke Centre due to crowded conditions on the sidewalks for passengers waiting for buses. Again we appreciate your patience while we wait for the buses to pick up passengers. 6:26pm We have a limited number of buses working to get people t
Our trains can still only get as far as Burke Centre. Once Manassas Line #337 (Departs Union Station 6:50pm) arrives Burke, all passengers will disembark and board buses to their final destination station.
6:40pm
There may be a slight delay offloading the Manassas #333 at Burke Centre due to crowded conditions on the sidewalks for passengers waiting for buses. Again we appreciate your patience while we wait for the buses to pick up passengers.
6:26pm
We have a limited number of buses working to get people to their destination stations. We are told the first bus should be back to Burke Centre in 20 minutes then more arriving at later intervals. We appreciate your patience.
6:14pm
Waiting for investigation to clear incident north of Manassas Park. Train traffic still not allowed to pass through. Trains can get as far as Burke Centre where we have buses going back and forth from Burke Centre to the remaining stations.
5:51pm
Manassas #333 departed Union Station 17 minutes late.
5:39pm
Manassas Line #333 just departed yard. Still estimating a 10 minute delay departing Union Station.
5:23pm
Estimating Manassas Line #333 (Departs Union Station 5:30pm) to have a 10 minute delay departing Union Station.
4:58pm
Manassas #329 just made it to the platform at Union Station and will depart shortly. Approximately 25 minutes late.
4:52pm
Amtrak #171 (Departs Union Station at 4:50pm) will take VRE riders without a Step-Up ticket and can drop them off at Alexandria and Burke Centre only. As of right now, no trains can make it past Burke Centre because of a pedestrian strike near Manassas Park.
4:44pm
Manassas #329 is still in the train yard waiting to depart. Estimating now about 25 minute delay.
4:35pm
Manassas Line #329 (Departs Union Station 4:25pm) will be about 10 minutes delayed departing Union Station and will only have six cars. Expect crowding.
4:28pm
Again, Manassas #327 will only go as far as Burke Centre where PRTC and Fairfax Connector buses will take passengers to Manassas Park, Manassas, and Broad Run.
4:10pm
Manassas Line #331 (Departs Union Station 5:05pm) is cancelled for this evening due to trespasser strike near Manassas Park.
Manassas #327 will terminate at Burke Centre. Buses will take passengers to Manassas Park, Manassas, and Broad Run.
3:56pm
Manassas Line riders can use PRTC OmniRide Commuter buses to get to near Manassas and Burke Centre (but not to the stations themselves) simply by showing a VRE ticket.
Please visit http://www.prtctransit.org/ or call (703) 730-6664 to see where the nearest stop is.
3:49pm
Manassas Line #327 (Departs Union Station 3:45pm) will depart Union Station on time. However, due to a pedestrian strike near Manassas Park, Manassas 327 will only go as far as Burke Centre at this time. We are contacting the local bus agencies to see if they can have buses at Burke Centre to act as a bus bridge to get people to their final destination station.
3:38pm
Metro Option is open for Manassas line riders
The "Metro Option" is opened in the event of a cancelled VRE train or some other severe service interruption. In such cases, we work with Metro management to make alternate transportation accommodations for our riders. When the option is opened, VRE customers can use Metrorail at no additional charge by presenting their validated VRE ticket or pass to a Metro station manager upon entering and exiting the system.
3:30pm
335 (departs Union Station at 6:10 p.m.) will be canceled tonight due to an earlier pedestrian strike near Manassas Park.
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