BNSF collides with Metrolink train

[Anonymous]

265 injured, at least 2 dead, 16 critically injured,

Both trains on same track

http://www.abcnews.go.com/sections/us/DailyNews/train_collide020423.html

[Anonymous]

First of all my thoughts and prayers go out to those involved and their families. We should also all be greatfull for the efforts and high quality of the emergency response folks we have in this country.
Although I'm well aware that there is no such thing as a magic cure to make any form of transportation 100% safe,I wonder if this incident should provide an impetus for technological innovations to improve rail safety. I am specifically referring to Positive Train Separation and Positive Train Control technology. The major railroads seem to be making more effort to investigate this lately,but it seems like there was a long period of foot dragging. I am aware that this technology does not come cheap,and it shouldn't be seen as a replacement to hiring,training,and retaining quality Engineers,Conductors,and Dispatchers,but it seems to me to be an idea whose time has come.
BTW I was appalled at many of the questions asked at the Press Conference I watched this afternoon, the Metrolink spokesperson spent half her time explaining that their commuter trains can be operated from either end,the press really do seem to be generally clueless when it comes to technical matters. There was one reporter who asked an intelligent question about switch alignment and signal indications,I bet he is a TRAINS reader.

[Modelcar]

Yes, the media seems clueless as to what the operation of railroads are...Perhaps some of the blame might belong to the railroad Co's. themseves as railroads seem to want no part of the public knowing what it is that they do....And very little advertising is put in public view and perhaps much of our population is not even aware the railroads still are out there hauling some of our freight and passengers. So newsmen get very little exposure to their operation. It is very obvious when one reads a news article of such an accident.

QM

[Anonymous]

Anyone have specifics about how and why this happened?