Just saw the video of the collision, and have a few things to mention.
1st, the Automatic Block Signal that is protecting the distant signal (the ABS is the signal at the grade crossing - shown at the beginning of the video), appeared to indicate "Red over Yellow", which would be the correct signal aspect for that Train, if it was to enter the approaching siding.
It is allowed to pass that signal at at restricted speed (typically reduce to 30 MPH).
The ABS appears to change to "Red over Red" as the Train enters the fouling point.
Nevertheless, the Train with the Camera in it (looks like the cab of an SD 70M), was to reduce speed, ready to enter the diverging route at the next signal.
From the sounds of things, the crew was bringing the speed down - as the sounds of Air Brake Applications are heard intermittantly.
2: As the Train approaches the curve, braking was applied normally, and the Train appears to be slowing as it would typically do to enter the diverging route.
3: When the crew rounded the curve, they placed the Air Brakes into "Full Application", so to enter the turnout within prescribed speed (looks like a 30 MPH turnout).
4: As the BNSF Freight rolls past the Block signal on its side, the "Pull-In" Block signal for the Train with the Camera in it changed from "Red over Green" (a normal indication for clear to enter diverging route), to "Red over Red" (absolute stop).
The switchpoint were already aligned for the "Camera Train" to enter the siding, and all signal aspects were corresponding to that action.
It was only after the BNSF Train fouled the block limits that the entrance signal went full restricive (Red-Red).
The BNSF Train was supposed to stop clear of its block signal, but rolled past it for some reason - which will be found out by Event Recorder data analysis.
The crew of the BNSF train had it slow enough to bail out - that's why you see someone jumping off the train.
Standard procedure is to set the Air Brakes into "Emergency Application", and place the Dynamic Brake throttle to position 8, then once the Locomotives are in emergency, the crew jumps out (enjoying a face full of Ballast as they hit the ground!).
Now, the question is:
Why the BNSF train rolled through the block?
May be one of three things:
A- Braking malfunction (not enough air, trainline malfunction, automatic / independent brakes not lapping, etc.),
B- Malfunctioning Block Signal on the BNSF side:
Entrance Block signal may have indicated green (or yellow) over red, and the end of block absolute signal may had indicated yellow over red, or even a clear block aspect.
The signal facing the oncoming BNSF Train at the end of that block (end of the siding) should have been "Red-Red" ONLY!!!
The Entrance Block signal should had been Solid Yellow over Red ONLY!!!
C- The BNSF crew judged the stop incorrectly, and rolled it through the block.
The sad thing is, the crew in the Train with the camera had no idea of the fouled block until it was too late!
If they did, their Train would have been set into full emergency too, possibly stopping short of the turnout.
I hope they got out, or at least hit the floor before the collision!
It could have been much worse - a head on situation would have killed the crews of either Train, if they were unable to bail out.
At least with the low speed side-swipe, you can walk away from it!
Scott
