About 11:03 p.m., on June 12, 1977, ConRail freight train WA-4 collided with the rear of ConRail freight train WA-6. A fire began in the lead locomotive unit of train WA-4 and in the caboose of train WA-6. Damage was about $300,000. Two crewmembers on each train were injured. The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the accident was the failure of the engineer of train WA-4 to fulfill his responsibility to properly control the speed of the train, as required by the signal indications, to insure that it could be stopped before passing signal 880. Contributing to the severity of the accident was the manner in which the engineer of train WA-4 applied and released the brakes approaching the accident point and the failure of the engineer of train WA-6 to communicate with the tower and train WA-4 when train WA-6 stopped. 17. Key Words Rear end collision; stop and proceed signal; restricted speed; flagging; emergency braking. 19. Security Classification (of this report) NTSB Form 1765.2 (Rev. 9/74) UNCLASSIFIED 20. Security Classification 18.Distribution Statement This document is available to the public through the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, Virginia 22151 21.No. of Pages 22. Price 22 |