| Last updated on November 3, 2020
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ANTIOCH, Neb. — No injuries were reported when two BNSF Railway coal trains collided on Friday evening, derailing at least one locomotive and several cars.
The Scottsbluff Star-Herald reports that one westbound coal train bound for Wyoming rear-ended another train, which was stopped, near Antioch, about 15 miles east of Alliance, Neb.
Service was restored through the accident site by Sunday.
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Lance Geiger once featured Emperor Norton on his YouTube channel, The History Guy.
Good thing traffic is down, or (statistically speaking) we might be having more collisions?
Alex Christmas….yes on all counts. BNSF mainline between Alliance and Lincoln is not a PTC required route due to lack of passenger and Haz traffic
No PTC on that line
Based on what little we know, this is looking like another restricted-mode PTC rear-ender.
Sounds like it is out on a PTC mainline, so assuming PTC itself was functioning properly, the trailing train was either in PTC-cutout or restricted mode/restricted condition. As we discussed in the CSX Carey collision, PTC cannot prevent you from actually hitting something, as it still relies on the crew following restricted condition rules where applicable.
All hail the Emperor of these United States and the Protector of Mexico.
As I’ve said many a time don’t quote me I’m just a worn out truck driver. If you want an attorney try the Yellow Pages(does anybody remember the Yellow Pages in this day of the internet, Facebook(where are the pages) , Google or something or another. ) 🙂
Is it me or does it seem there have been a lot of collisions recently?
The above comments are generic in nature and do not form the basis for an attorney/client relationship. They do not constitute legal advice. I am not your attorney. Find your own [insert modifying phrase of your choice here] howler at the moon.
Hey Anna!! I like your thought on having some fun which is what makes your comments so enjoyable. A long time ago a buddy of mine had an actual working dam on his model railroad and he named it the “God Dam”. Perhaps leaving off the “n” would make people without a sense of humor happy. Keep those comments coming, nice to see someone else remembers Emporer Norton.
Not a TIH or passenger route, and by far most of the. GTM are PRB coal, so I’m unsurprised it’s not a PTC qualifying line.
@ Lance Lassen, thanks for the note about there not being PTC. I was assuming that this was BNSF’s main artery around Alliance – or does that line not have PTC either?
In any case, the point about PTC is that it does nothing to help prevent restricted speed scenarios from going foul. PTC or not, crews must still operate at a speed wherein they are able to stop within one half the range of vision not exceeding 15/20 mph – depending on the railroad.
If they’re going too fast or not paying attention, this sorta thing will happen, PTC or not.
So I guess if Lance is to be believed (I know nothing much of that area) then this looks to be a more classical case, and perhaps the crew wasn’t even following restricted speed, which PTC would at least make you follow.
That – or the media more likely to report (relatively) minor collisions than in past years?
where have all the railroaders gone ( ?? ) are those that are left playing with their hand held devices instead of paying attention to their jobs (??) ; resulting in an increase in accidents.
Anna, I agree with you. Seems like the wrecks/derailments/incidents have indeed been occurring more frequently. Of course the big ask is why is that?
I look forward to and am a huge fan/admirer of your comments.
Mister Morris:
While I thank you for your support I must once again point out that this forum is the property of Kalmbach Publishing, and is private property. As such they make the rules. We can follow these rule, or we can leave.
Regardless of what you or I think about these rules, they have been laid down by a properly identified member of the Kalmbach staff.
This does not mean, however, that we can’t have a little fun with them, while staying just within the line.
The above comments are generic in nature and do not form the basis for an attorney/client relationship. They do not constitute legal advice. I am not your attorney. I refuse to answer questions on the grounds that it might tend to incriminate me, and I appeal to my Sovereign the Great Emperor Norton for protection against those hounds from the netherworld who might drag me down, kicking and screaming, once more to that eternal torment and durance vile from which I have escaped and, Grid willing, will do so again…. BWAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAA!
Dear Trains Magazine. I understand the desire to run a family friendly forum, but I must state that please, please, please let Anna be Anna. No objections from this adult in the room.
Could the crews be relying too much on their PTC systems?