On May 25, 2006, at 10 p.m. Central Standard Time (CST), a northbound CSX Train Q65825 collided with the rear two cars of CSX southbound Train Q54525. The accident occurred near Ozark, Alabama (AL) at milepost (MP) AN 816.9 on the Jacksonville Divisions Dothan Subdivision. The method of operation on this subdivision is Direct Traffic Control (DTC). The crew of both trains consisted of an engineer, conductor, and engineer trainee. Both trainees were operating under the supervision of the engineer when the accident occurred. The crew for Train Q65825 reported for duty on May 25, 2006, in Dothan, AL at 2:45 p.m. Train Q65825 consisted of three locomotives, 14 loads, and 41 empties was 3,002 tons and was 3,333 ft. in length and was carrying three loaded hazardous material cars and five empties. The crew for Train Q54525 reported for duty at 3:30 p.m. in Montgomery, AL. The train consisted of three locomotives, 16 loads, and 13 empties, weighed 2,045 tons and was 1,962 ft. in length. This train was destined for Waycross, Georgia (GA) with a crew change in Dothan. Train Q54525 was carrying no hazardous material cars. CSX southbound Train Q54525 was instructed to take the Dillard Siding and clear up for northbound Train Q65825. The conductor of Train Q54525 dismounted at the north end of Dillard Siding and lined the switch from the main track to the siding. After Train Q54525 entered the siding, the conductor stopped the train and lined the Dillard Siding switch for main track movement. The conductor advised the engineer and engineer trainee that the train was in the clear. The conductor reported the time the main track switch was placed in the reverse position and the switch was re-aligned for main track movement. The conductor walked toward the locomotives while the engineer trainee reported this information to the train dispatcher and relinquished the direct traffic control (DTC) blocks to the dispatcher. The train dispatcher issued a DTC order to northbound Train Q65825. Train Q65825 was operating on the main track on the Dothan Subdivision at a recorded speed of 39 miles per hour (mph) when locomotive CSXT 710 side swiped the last two cars of Train Q54525 that were fouling the main track on Dillard Siding MP AN 816.9. After the collision, the crew of Train Q65825 was taken for medical treatment. The engineer trainee suffered a contusion to the left shoulder and the conductor was diagnosed with a contusion to his right knee. The engineer did not report any physical injuries, however, it was reported that he was experiencing some emotional stress as a result of the accident. Track damage was estimated at $1,000. Equipment damage for Locomotive CSXT 710 on Train Q65825 is $10,000. Equipment damage for rail cars FURX 818674 and EEC 755 is $8,922. There were no hazardous material leaks or evacuations. It was dark with clear skies and the temperature was reported to be 80 degrees F. The accident was caused by the failure of the conductor of CSX Train Q54525 to ensure that his train was in the clear on Dillard Siding.


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    Title :

    Federal Railroad Administration, Office of Safety Headquarters Assigned Accident Investigation Report HQ-2007-36, CSX Transportation (CSX), Campbellsburg, Kentucky, June 10, 2007


    Publication date :

    2007


    Size :

    6 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English