DG posted:The stored freight train was a northbound train that would have entered the south end switch into the passing side.
Are you ABSOLUTELY sure about this? It has been reported that the freight train "backed" into that side track.
The freight train apparently stopped approximately a 1/4 of a mile SOUTH of the north end switch into the siding. Thus when the freight crew indicated they were "clear", they would have been talking about the south end switch into the siding. The passenger train was going south and entered the passing siding thru the NORTH end switch and hit the freight train. I don't think the freight train crew would have been expected to walk up to the north end switch and check it since they didn't go thru that switch. The freight train would only been cleared to enter and stop in the siding.
