NTSB board to review fatal train crash investigation

EMERSON - Details of a year-long investigation into a train collision that killed two people will be released during a National Transportation and Safety Board meeting Tuesday morning.

The NTSB board will discuss the April 17, 2011 collision which killed the Burlington Northern Santa Fe engineer and conductor.

On April 17, an eastbound BNSF coal train struck the rear of a stationary BNSF maintenance-of-way equipment train.

According to the NTSB, the coal train, which was traveling about 23 mph when it struck the standing train, had passed a red signal about two miles before the collision. The signal required the engineer to operate the train at restricted speed, which meant stopping within half the range of vision.

Investigators are expected to discuss crew fatigue, positive train control, crash worthiness and information from data recorders with the NTSB board.

The Red Oak Express will publish a full report on the accident at www.redoakexpress.com this week and in next week’s edition.

The April 24 meeting is scheduled to start at 8:30 p.m. CST and will be simulcast via the Internet on the NTSB website at www.ntsb.gov.

The board is also expected to review a report regarding a maritime accident that occurred in May 2010 near Staten Island, N.Y.