One train rear ends another on NS Pittsburgh Division?

Question

65J trash train is sitting at MPPT 300.5, CP PACK. 227 intermodal is sitting in the block behind the 65J. 11A freight comes along and rear ends the 227.

Considering the wayside and cab signals were working for the 65J and 227, how does the 11A rear end the 227?

The 227's rear end was just west of the 296.3 signal. 11A came around the corner, saw the signal and the 227 and dumped it. Impact was about 15 mph destroying the rear three wells and trailers on the 227, and derailing the lead unit on the 11A.

How does this happen on a RR with wayside signals and cab signal control?

Answer 1

human error

Answer 2

Sometimes the signals get mixed up. In Schenectady yesterday there was mast showing "restricted" when it should have been "approach," and the crew made a frazzled call to the dispatcher as they rolled through it. The maintainers went out, and eventually the bug was found and fixed.

If I'm not mistaken, Norfolk Southern requires its engineers to call in signals to the dispatcher for the sake of clarity. Either the engineer was skipping steps or the dispatcher goofed up big time. It's scary who they put in the tower sometimes. For all you know, it's just some guy with a book of maps who really doesn't know the territory that well. Not good!