NTSB REPORT RAR1502, BNSF AMARILLO, TEXAS

[NP Eddie]

All:

The above NTSB report is about the 2013 rear end collision of one freight into another in Amarillo, Texas. The main cause was a burned out light bulb behind the red lense. The NTSB also recommended that the BNSF discontinue the dim headlight (white) on the rear of DP units and use an EOT instead. My thinking is that the BNSF should have ordered six axle road units with a twin red light (as passenger locomotives have) to replace the dim headlight.

I an long out of the loop on BNSF locomotives, so does anyone know if new BNSF locomotives will have the red light option on the short or long or both? Is the BNSF planning to retrofit the many six axle road units with the above red marker lights?

Ed Burns of Anoka, MN

[NorthWest]

PDF link to report:

http://ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/RAR1502.pdf

I don't think we will see any modifications. The crew probably should have known there was a signal there, as qualified crews tend to know their routes very well, or at least observed a dark signal even in the dark.

Cost wise, it is far easier to simply add a FRED (no reason for a complex EOT as the DPU will handle all its functions, so a simple flashing light would suffice) then to retrofit lights. CN is the only railroad to continue ordering marker lights, and most class lights have been removed on other railroads' power.  

[BaltACD]

NorthWest

PDF link to report:

http://ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/RAR1502.pdf

I don't think we will see any modifications. The crew probably should have known there was a signal there, as qualified crews tend to know their routes very well, or at least observed a dark signal even in the dark.

Cost wise, it is far easier to simply add a FRED (no reason for a complex EOT as the DPU will handle all its functions, so a simple flashing light would suffice) then to retrofit lights. CN is the only railroad to continue ordering marker lights, and most class lights have been removed on other railroads' power. 

If a crew doesn't know that a wayside signal is Dark - I would question the qualifications procedures on that line. 

Dark signals and dark aspects of signals that have other aspects lit, are to be reported to the Dispatcher who will in turn get the Signal Department notified.