Originally Posted By joe80x86 <a href="http://www.ntsb.gov/Dockets/RailRoad/DCA09FR008/default.htm" target="_blank">http://www.ntsb.gov/Dockets/Ra...ault.htm</a> This was posted on another site and I don't see it here, the NTSB has released a whole slew of interesting documents related to the crash. These include the interviews, excerpts from operation manuals, transcripts of the radio log and the black box logs. It is alot of reading and but is also very interesting. Also the transcripts of the interviews really changed my view points on the Pink driver and even the manager who was acting as the controller, I really feel sorry for all involved. It seem like it was really just a perfect storm of events really out of everyone involved's control. It also gives a new perspective on the actual operation of the system.
Originally Posted By -em >>It seem like it was really just a perfect storm of events really out of everyone involved's control.<< I also read a lot of the info and as a former 'railer I agree. I learned alot more than what I had heard (and deduced) about what happened and there is one piece that bothers me more than others and while I haven't researched it further to see if it had been a policy change since I was in 'rails but when I drove you wern't allowed to drive after 12 hrs on shift. Austin had been on duty for almost 14 hrs (on a crazy busy day) when the accident occurred.
Originally Posted By Christi22222 Could Austin have done anything differently, though? I have not read all of these documents. However, all the information I have seen has indicated that he was not the problem, nor could he have prevented it. I am not casting blame anywhere. However, I had understood that the one person that shared no blame, was Austin. So I'm curious why his shift time is important?
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb The long shift may not have been a factor, but as a policy it's important. And if the inclusion of Austin's over long shift in the NTSB report improves safety on the 'rails, all the better.
Originally Posted By -em Well unlike I previously thought Purple was in motion into the station (vs stationary/sitting duck) so while we'll never know exact details or how many seconds may have made a difference- He would've been the first one to see Pink as it came into the station as he should've been looking forward while starting to park the 'rail. Had he not been at the end of a long day could/would his reaction time been greater which could've caused him to hit the horn in alert- slow the train to lessen the impact or bailed? We'll never know
Originally Posted By Christi22222 @Autopia Deb-agreed, for sure. @em- that's interesting in a very sad way. We have all agreed for a long time that it was a perfect storm of events. But if this was one more piece of the puzzle that could have changed things, it's even more heartbreaking.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer Can't even comment on this. Too depressing. I just hope that they learn from there errors so that NOTHING happens like this again, and that Austin didn't die in vain.
