The report describes and analyzes a rear-end collision between two Southern Pacific Transportation Company freight trains in the SP yard at Indio, California, on June 25, 1973. Extra 8992 West, after having entered the yard, struck the rear of Extra 8659 West, which was standing on the westbound main track. All five locomotive units of Extra 8992 West were destroyed, and 25 cars of the two colliding trains were derailed. The engineer and the front brakeman of Extra 8992 West were killed. Eight cars of a train on an adjacent track were also derailed. The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the accident was the failure of the crew of the Extra 8992 West to stop their train, which was being operated at an excessive speed by an engineer under the influence of alcohol. Contributing to this failure was the ineffectiveness of the Southern Pacific in assuring compliance with its operating rules and procedures which were specifically designed to prevent an accident if a crewmember failed to perform his duties.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Rear-End Collision of Two Southern Pacific Transportation Company Freight Trains, Indio, California, June 25, 1973


    Publication date :

    1974


    Size :

    28 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English