Yesterday the Texas Eagle (#22) hit a pick-up truck at Bartlett, Texas, which is between Taylor and Temple. According to news reports, the driver of the pick-up was killed. He either became stuck on the rail crossing or was trying to beat the train to the crossing.
The news sources reported that the more than 230 passengers and crew on the train were bused to Temple following the accident. After the train was inspected for damage and found to be servicable, it proceeded to Temple, where it picked-up the passengers and resumed its journey. As of noon today - November 26 - it is estimated to arrive in Chicago 10 hours and 25 minutes late.
My question! The engineer of #22 would have gotten on the train at Austin and was scheduled to take it to Fort Worth. After the accident, since it involved a fatality, who would have taken the train from Bartlett to Fort Worth. Would it have been the original engineer or would Amtrak have brought in another engineer? The original engineer probably would have been upset by the outcome of the accident.
Also, in the case of a fatal accident, is the engineer normally placed on an administrative leave pending the outcome of the accident investigation? In addition, would he or she receive counseling if requested?
I have read on these forums that an engineer that pulls a throttle over a long career, i.e. more than 30 or 40 years, is going to be involved in an accident where someone gets killed. Is this true?
Sam,
In reverse order. The odds are anyone in the running trades will be involved in one or more fatal accidents. Grade crossing, trespasser, employee on duty. Throw the dice enough times and you will get snake eyes.
In case of a grade crossing accident there is no administrative leave. In cases where a rules vioilation is suspected, there will usually be a drug test plus the employees involved will be held out of service pending an investigation.
As to relieving the engineer it depends. First issue is that you are looking at a three or four hour delay while the local authorities recover the body and confirm the obvious, so may need to relieve the crew due to hours of service issues. Second question is company policy. I believe most carriers will offer, and some may require, relief. Third issue is how the man feels about it. He did nothing wrong. Some guys will be good to go, others would just as soon end their trip right there. The trend has been to relieve as opposed to completing the trip.
Mac McCulloch
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