TRAINS News Wire - Metrolink to put second engineer in locomotive/cab car

[Anonymous]

LOS ANGELES - Metrolink may place a second engineer in locomotive cabs, the Associated Press has reported. A second employee in the cab could have prevented a Sept. 12 crash that killed 25 people in Chatsworth, Calif.

Metrolink, like many commuter railroads, usually runs its trains with one engineer at the controls of the locomotive (or cab car, when in push mode), while the conductor takes passengers' tickets in the cars. Freight trains, by contrast, almost always run with an engineer and a conductor in the lead locomotive.

Freight railroads generally mandate "dual responsibility" between the engineer and conductor, and freight locomotives contain an emergency brake valve in front of the conductor's seat. That allows the conductor to stop the train when required, even if the engineer refuses to.

The Metrolink engineer in the Sept. 12 wreck ran past multiple signals that ordered him first to be prepared to stop at an upcoming signal, then to stop. A second crew member, by operating rules, would have been required to pay attention to the signals, talk about the signals with the engineer, and put the train in emergency if the engineer didn't slow as he approached the stop signal.

[Dutchrailnut]

Watch what you wish for, Putting two people in cab makes conductor absolete, remember what happened in Canada, no more Conductor, just two engineers on passenger trains.

Since Metrolink is honor system its just as easy to give ticket collector doorkey and let him/her operate doors, nice entry level salary ???

 It would work in railroads plan to eliminate one craft, and now they will have two people capable of operating train incase one is not feeling well.

 

Just my $00.02

[c0nrail]

Watch what you wish for, Putting two people in cab makes conductor absolete, remember what happened in Canada, no more Conductor, just two engineers on passenger trains.

 

What does it matter anyways,

CSX makes you go to engineer school. Alot of these conductors out here are engineers who just flowback.

 

....good for you metrolink

[trainfan1221]

I remember that when I rode on a train in Canada there were no conductors, pretty much the honor system.  Not sure it's the greatest thing.  I think at least somebody should be on the train watching but I didn't recall seeing anyone at all.

[mphill66]

Watch ..........

Since Metrolink is honor system its just as easy to give ticket collector doorkey and let him/her operate doors, nice entry level salary ???

 Just my $00.02

One detail you are leaving out, yes the conductor does check tickets occasionally (they don't collect them), but LA County Sheriff deputies are also ticket checkers, or worst case ticket writers if you don't have one (that's real expensive) & you get put off at the next station with your expensive citation ( Conductor can write one also).. They are on any train at any time and you better have a valid ticket to show if they come walking through...