More Friday morning rail news:
CN employee killed by ‘kicked’ car, railroad says
The Canadian National conductor killed at the railroad’s Surrey, British Columbia, yard earlier this week was hit by a car the conductor’s train had “kicked” a few minutes earlier, according to a CN “safety flash” issued to employees. In the June 1 incident, the employee’s train kicked the car loose on one track at approximately 4 mph, then made a move on an adjacent track at approximately 10 mph to retrieve other cars. When the employee, riding on the leading equipment in the latter move, stepped off the train as it stopped, he was hit by the loose car on the adjacent track. The railroad’s bulletin reminds employees to always be on the lookout for moving equipment.
Change in NS-UP interchange leads to road issues in New Orleans
Grade crossings in the Old Metairie neighborhood of New Orleans are being blocked for extended periods because of a change in interchange procedures between Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific, NOLA.com reports. In a statement, Norfolk Southern told the news site the interchange changed to a site at Shrewsbury Road, which results in blocked crossings, because of a unilateral decision by Union Pacific effective April 1. Previously, the railroads had an unwritten agreement to make the interchange at another location where streets were not affected. NS said it “was not consulted by Union Pacific and disagrees with its decision, but is obligated to comply,” and that it is working to find a solution which addresses the current problem. Union Pacific said in a statement it hopes “to reach an agreement that moves the interchange point to Avondale Yard, which would alleviate impacts on the community.”
Review sought in case of British rail worker who died of COVID-19
A British government agency is being asked to review evidence in the death of a rail worker from COVID-19 after British Transport Police found no evidence of a criminal offense while investigating reports a man had spat at the victim, leading to her contracting the virus. The Guardian reports the Crown Prosecution Service has been asked to look at the case of 47-year-old Belly Mujinga, who worked in a ticket office at London’s Victoria Station. Transport police said in a statement that a review of surveillance cameras and witness statements led investigators to conclude “there was insufficient evidence to substantiate that any criminal offenses had occurred and that the death of Mrs. Mujinga did not occur as a consequence of that incident.” Mujinga died April 5, 14 days after the alleged assault [see “Cumbres & Toltec plans June 13 opening …,” News Wire Digest, May 13, 2020].
