UP collision near Colton Yard

[RiversideBNSF]

Union Pacific crash leaves two injured

Published: September 10, 2010

FONTANA, Calif. — Union Pacific is investigating an apparent rear-end collision on its Alhambra Subdivision roughly five miles west of West Colton yard at around 11:55 p.m. last night. One train’s engineer and conductor have been taken to a local hospital, with media reports indicating the engineer’s arm was amputated in an effort to extract him from the locomotive. The Associated Press has reported both trains involved in the collision were traveling westward on the West Colton-Los Angeles main line when the incident occurred. Apparently the first of the two westbound trains was traveling more slowly than the second, and the second train struck the first train’s last car. Photos show the second train’s lead UP locomotive resting atop a gondola loaded with steel I-beams, which apparently crushed the second train’s lead locomotive’s nose, necessitating the extrication. The engineer is expected to survive, though he’s reportedly in critical condition. The conductor sustained moderate injuries. The Alhambra Subdivision, linking Colton, Calif., and Los Angeles, is dispatched with centralized traffic control, a signaling system that would have given the engineer of the second train a red signal prior to the crash, assuming it was functioning properly. No hazardous materials leaked in the wreck.

[samfp1943]

RiversideBNSF

Union Pacific crash leaves two injured

Published: September 10, 2010

FONTANA, Calif. — Union Pacific is investigating an apparent rear-end collision on its Alhambra Subdivision roughly five miles west of West Colton yard at around 11:55 p.m. last night. One train’s engineer and conductor have been taken to a local hospital, with media reports indicating the engineer’s arm was amputated in an effort to extract him from the locomotive. The Associated Press has reported both trains involved in the collision were traveling westward on the West Colton-Los Angeles main line when the incident occurred. Apparently the first of the two westbound trains was traveling more slowly than the second, and the second train struck the first train’s last car. Photos show the second train’s lead UP locomotive resting atop a gondola loaded with steel I-beams, which apparently crushed the second train’s lead locomotive’s nose, necessitating the extrication. The engineer is expected to survive, though he’s reportedly in critical condition. The conductor sustained moderate injuries. The Alhambra Subdivision, linking Colton, Calif., and Los Angeles, is dispatched with centralized traffic control, a signaling system that would have given the engineer of the second train a red signal prior to the crash, assuming it was functioning properly. No hazardous materials leaked in the wreck.

You might check this Thread link posted earlier on 09/10/ referencing this wreck: http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/t/179627.aspx

   It seems that the main bit of incorrect information is whether it was the ENGINEER or The CONDUCTOR whose arm was amputated to free that person from the wreckage. 

  It also seems the media, is confused, as the linked stories mention both individuals as having been seriously injured.   The above link also has a number of photos within the Thread of the wreck clearance efforts to get the line back in service.

  From time to time we complain around about the failure of the various media types to present an accurat representation of details in their reporting of railroad related accidents. Apparently we are visited once again by that same devilment of accuracty in the the reporting of this wreck.