GP 40 posted:FWIW....Some comments from having spent almost 4 decades working in the Operating Department of CSX and its' predecessors......'Signal Suspensions are relativity common on CSX. They are employed to allow operations to continue when updates and/or changes are being made to the physical track structure and/or signal system on a particular section of railroad. Instructions are issued and are very specific as to what rules are in effect and how train and equipment movements are to be made through the limits during the suspension. This is accomplished by the use of Track Warrant Control and EC-1 Forms (CSXs' authority for movement in non-signaled territory among other uses) In this case the signal suspension was implemented due to the need to make changes necessary for installation of PTC. It had been planned to take effect Saturday morning and expire Sunday evening.
While nothing is official yet, reliable information indicates the switch in question (at the north end of what is known as Silica Siding) was an Electric Lock hand operated switch , meaning it is controlled manually, regardless of whether the signal system is operating or not. Sources tell me it was found in tact, lined and locked in the reverse position (lined for movement from the main track to the siding).
The CSX crew had placed the 2 units and 30 some odd multilevels in the siding approximately 35 minutes before the incident and had reported in the "clear" to the dispatcher, giving up their Main Track Authority (EC-1 form). In layman's terms this simply means that they were giving up their authority to be on the main track at this location, their equipment was clear of the main and all switches were properly lined and locked for normal movement.
AMTRAK 91 was proceeding through the limits with proper authority (EC-1) and had no reason to believe their route was not properly lined.
How and why the switch at the north end of the siding was left improperly lined and by whom is what the NTSB investigation will bring out.
I do hope this answers some questions without confusing the matter any further. Unfortunately This is shaping up to be a Human Factor accident caused by a misaligned switch. Again it emphasizes how even the most fundamental rules of operation need to be adhered to as railroading can be very unforgiving when Operating Rules compliance is not followed through.
CJ
As bad as it is, it could have been worse and could have easily turned out to be another Graniteville.
That one gave us SPAF forms...
