Would the railroad police have a role in investigating what happened yesterday? <span title="readon...................?">readon......................</span>

Question

Yesterday there was an unfortunate mishap with the New Mexico railrunner commuter train where it hit a car and some fatalities occurred. (This is news from Albuquerque Journal as well as the local network affiliates) BNSF freight trains also run on this line. Was wondering if the railroad police would have a role in investigating this. Would it be the BNSF police? (Just another curious question from a railroad fan trying to understand the role of the railroad police)

Answer 1

Everybody who is anybody investigates grade crossing fatalities, if for no other reason to have one&#039;s butt well covered for the inevitable litigation that is sure to follow.

Answer 2

I would think the LEAD investigative agencies would be:

New Mexico Department of Transportation

National Transportation Safety Board

BNSF &quot;police&quot; would be a security rather than investigative agency.

I couldn&#039;t find any information in the news though other than initial stories

Answer 3

yes they would along with the local authorities and possibly the FRA.  My dad was a trainmaster on the BNSF and he had to do alot work (ie reports, investigations) with accidents and mishaps

Answer 4

From another railroad &amp; train fan:  I think there would be officials and agents involved from both B &amp; N and Amtrack, and also state and department of transportation people who might work on this, as a task force.  

You might communicate to your state police spokesperson or press news contact.

Answer 5

Well, the railroad police would have a secondary role, that is the jurisdiction of the Local and State police.

RR police mostly look for security breaches and trespassers on the RR property and try to curb vandalilsm.

Hoghead is right, the RR police will make sure that all protocol is followed and that the RR employees are tested as required and try tp protect the RR&#039;s interest.

They are there to protect the RR&#039;s bottom line.

Answer 6

It would be the NTSB who would and will and the department of transportation.anything has to do with trains,airplains and commerical transportation.and if you go to their web site you will find everything they look in to,railroad is one of the main onesand also you have.  www.fra.dot.gov www.ntsb.gov

i hope this was helpful to you.

Answer 7

According to my Husband a retired New York State Police Officer who worked with the Transit Authority.  Yes they would have a role in the investigation.  Transit Police or Railroad Police have the same divisions as a regular police department.  So their detectives would look into it.