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The [LA Metrolink] Investigation: Texting Might Not Be the Cause.
Fox News ^

Posted on 09/24/2008 2:01:30 PM PDT by WaveMan

Disturbing details are emerging from that train crash in California:

Engineer Robert Sanchez called back to the conductor that the first signal was flashing yellow … and then no other communications. The train would then run two more lights, a solid yellow and a red signal … never did the train slow and never did the engineer or the conductor pull the emergency brake.

The railroad investigators are blown away that, 1.) the engineer blew thru all the signals and the switch (I am told you’d either have to do it on purpose or be disabled); and, 2.) that the conductor didn’t pull the emergency brake, which I am told is not only an immediately “fire-able” offense, but just about criminally negligent.

In fact, as this investigation proceeds, a source close to the investigation says in order for the engineer to miss three lights — a flashing yellow, a solid yellow and a red — he’d “really have to be trying.” He said that the distance between the lights, as well as “the switch the engineer blew through,” was more than enough distance to stop. He said it couldn’t have been a matter of just being distracted while texting…like a car driver who talks or texts and misses a light.

(Excerpt) Read more at onthescene.blogs.foxnews.com ...


TOPICS: Extended News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: murder; suicide; traincrash; transportation
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1 posted on 09/24/2008 2:01:30 PM PDT by WaveMan
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To: WaveMan

I’m amazed that there is no automatic fail safe mechanism to stop the train of the engineer fatally screws up.


2 posted on 09/24/2008 2:03:40 PM PDT by DManA
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To: DManA

I work in the railroad Signaling and Crossing Equipment Industry. My Co. is the Number one Supplier to the Railroads in N. America. We do not make such a device, (yet) I’m told a few smaller companies are trying to market such devices but site trials are far from being completed.
Vital equipment such as this needs a lot of testing due to the high liability if it fails.


3 posted on 09/24/2008 2:09:08 PM PDT by DAC21
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To: WaveMan

Muslim convert?


4 posted on 09/24/2008 2:09:56 PM PDT by balch3
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To: DManA
Parallel tracks may help, but a train could still rear end a stopped on. For as long as trains have been running on this planet, this type of accident must be exceedingly rare.
5 posted on 09/24/2008 2:11:29 PM PDT by Mark was here (The earth is bipolar.)
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Comment #6 Removed by Moderator

To: DAC21
Vital equipment such as this needs a lot of testing due to the high liability if it fails.

Yes I can easily imagine. Is there some certifying agency for RR equipment analogous to the FDA for medical equipment?

7 posted on 09/24/2008 2:12:34 PM PDT by DManA
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To: balch3
No, but close.

He was a homosexual. His lover was also mentally deficient, and later killed himself.

This raises the question: Should homosexuals serve in our military? Should they hold responsible positions where the lives of others depend upon them and their unbalanced views?

8 posted on 09/24/2008 2:13:00 PM PDT by Responsibility2nd
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To: balch3

Could be it wasn’t the engineer’s fault anymore than it was the airline pilots’ fault on 9/11. Anyone have any idea how accesible the engineer compartments are to the other passengers? His text messaging could very easily have been used by somebody else while he was lying on the floor.


9 posted on 09/24/2008 2:13:32 PM PDT by Joe 6-pack (Que me amat, amet et canem meum)
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To: Domandred

I think this is a recreation of the actual event.


10 posted on 09/24/2008 2:14:53 PM PDT by halo66
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To: Joe 6-pack
“His text messaging could very easily have been used by somebody else while he was lying on the floor’

Autopsy might be able to determine if he was already dead or incapacitated

11 posted on 09/24/2008 2:16:16 PM PDT by DAC21
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To: Joe 6-pack
“His text messaging could very easily have been used by somebody else while he was lying on the floor’

Autopsy might be able to determine if he was already dead or incapacitated

12 posted on 09/24/2008 2:16:30 PM PDT by DAC21
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To: Domandred

If you will look right above that picture in red letters it says that this picture was part of a re-creation of the accident.


13 posted on 09/24/2008 2:17:28 PM PDT by ravingnutter
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To: Domandred
"2 Seconds to Impact"

Yeah. And this photo was captured a fraction of a second before a massive 90-car pile up...


14 posted on 09/24/2008 2:17:30 PM PDT by Joe 6-pack (Que me amat, amet et canem meum)
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To: balch3
Muslim convert?

Unlikely. If you yahoo search the engineer's background, you'll find that he was carrying a lot of 'baggage'. Or as someone else put it, his worries were comparable to that of a fat mouse in a house of hungry cats.
Concerned about losing his job due to a string of thefts he had committed and been caught. His H-IV positive partner recently committed suicide. The sister of said partner was convinced that her brother was not suicidal and was dropping hints that she was 'off'd' by someone (i.e., the engineer)... Just an all-around unseemly story. He may have just 'snapped'. Very tragic for very many people.

15 posted on 09/24/2008 2:18:49 PM PDT by El Cid (Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house...)
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To: WaveMan

Actual article headline: “The Investigation: Texting Might Not Be the Cause.”


16 posted on 09/24/2008 2:20:45 PM PDT by happinesswithoutpeace (You are receiving this broadcast as a dream)
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To: ravingnutter

Oh I thought by the “re-creation” it meant video was taken from the actual camera on board the train...like on a police car.

My mistake lol


17 posted on 09/24/2008 2:20:45 PM PDT by Domandred (McWhathisname / Palin - 2008)
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To: DAC21
"Autopsy might be able to determine if he was already dead or incapacitated"

Mind you, I'm not endorsing that theory, just floating the possibility, or thinking "aloud" as it were. It seems to me, if it were some type of intentional terror some group would have claimed responsibility, or there would have been a coordinated effort so it was obvious (i.e., 9/11 or 7/7).

18 posted on 09/24/2008 2:21:05 PM PDT by Joe 6-pack (Que me amat, amet et canem meum)
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To: El Cid
Re: 15

proof-read three times next time...

that she he was 'off'd'

19 posted on 09/24/2008 2:21:20 PM PDT by El Cid (Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house...)
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To: WaveMan

In order to avoid unneccesary duplication, please do not alter article headlines.


20 posted on 09/24/2008 2:21:23 PM PDT by Admin Moderator
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