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Metrolink head-on crash in Chatsworth
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by rresor: [QB] To Geoff M: With due respect, I think US signal systems are a bit more sophisticated than those in Britain, and it would take more than one loose wire to produce a false clear. Also, the signal at CP Topanga is an "absolute" (home) signal whose normal (default) display would be red. If it were green continuously, someone certainly would have noticed. For the record, the engineer did call the signal at CP DeSoto as "advance approach" (flashing yellow), as I understand it. The next signal, just before the Chatsworth stop, would have displayed solid yellow (approach). It is almost inconceivable to me that the home signal at CP Topanga could have displayed clear in these circumstances. In any case, all commands sent to, and responses received from, the field are logged. Again, the default indication would have been "stop". The dispatcher reversed the switch and then cleared the signal for the eastbound freight into the siding. That would have required the signal governing a westbound move on the main track to be red. As I understand it, tests by NTSB confirmed everything was in order. No loose wires. A false clear is possible on an intermediate (automatic) signal if the track circuit doesn't shunt properly. On a home signal, it's literally impossible unless the signal is wired incorrectly -- and NTSB's tests would have uncovered that. A bigger question, to me, is why engineer Sanchez took no action. If he was alert, he should have seen the red signal and also the freight, in time to initiate emergency braking. If he was incapacitated, in the time it took for the train to travel from the Chatsworth stop to the collision, the "alertor" in the cab should have stopped the train (they require a response every 30 seconds or so, and I understand it took 80 seconds from departure Chatsworth to the accident). [/QB][/QUOTE]
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