Text Messaging Highlighted As Cause of Train Crash - Poorly Visible Red Light Not so Publicized (Los Angeles: inspections, maintenance)

[NewToCA]

A few months ago a train crash in Los Angeles caused many deaths and injuries, and the publicity centered on a train employee who was text messaging just before the crash happened. While not excusing this behavior as being completely wrong, an underpublicized cause was also the failure of those responsible for train/track maintenance to assure the red lights were actually visible to the operators:

A critical red light that a Metrolink train ran just before slamming into a freight train in Chatsworth was not as visible as green and yellow signals displayed by the same trackside warning device, investigators probing the disaster have found.

"We did some signal inspections. Can't hardly see the red," one investigator told another just before the pair ducked into a closed-door briefing three days after the Sept. 12 crash...Most public attention after the crash, which killed 25 and injured 135, focused on dozens of cellphone text messages received and sent by Metrolink engineer Robert M. Sanchez, who was also killed.

Red light Metrolink train ran before Chatsworth crash may not have been clearly visible - Los Angeles Times


Nice to keep this little gem hidden from the public for so long, just another disgrace in how "official" blame is allocated. Also, another indication of sloppy and lazy media reporting, not digging in for these other types of observations from investigators.

I'd love to know who was responsible for assuring the red lights had sufficient brightness, they are supposed to be clearly visible a mile before the light.

[Fred314X]

Originally Posted by NewToCA

Nice to keep this little gem hidden from the public for so long, just another disgrace in how "official" blame is allocated. Also, another indication of sloppy and lazy media reporting, not digging in for these other types of observations from investigators.

I second the nomination of the candidate from Sacramento! As an employee of MTA here in New York, I can tell you that any time something untoward happens, the immediate official reaction is to blame the employee. And, as surely as the sun comes up in the morning, our friendly local media is right there on the official bandwagon. (If subsequent investigation determines that some kind of equipment failure led to the incident, that will either never make the news, or appear in newspapers weeks later in a tiny box buried on page 30).

[NewToCA]

Originally Posted by Fred314X

I second the nomination of the candidate from Sacramento! As an employee of MTA here in New York, I can tell you that any time something untoward happens, the immediate official reaction is to blame the employee. And, as surely as the sun comes up in the morning, our friendly local media is right there on the official bandwagon. (If subsequent investigation determines that some kind of equipment failure led to the incident, that will either never make the news, or appear in newspapers weeks later in a tiny box buried on page 30).

I actually found the initial version of the story in this morning's Sacramento Bee newspaper, buried in a corner on page #4. When they broke the story blaming text messaging, it was a top of the front page, giant print headline for three straight days.

This is but another example of why I don't object to the demise of the newspaper industry.

[NewToCA]

I wanted to let the LA folks take a look at this issue too, it seems that the lack of brightness of the red light was known for quite some time, but not properly disclosed nor publicized.

[Cubancoffee]

I'm curious, if it was "underpublicized" how did you hear about it?

[Hungry For Cheese]

^^ reads the paper?

[Cubancoffee]

Hmm, I would think that reading it in the paper would qualify as it being publicized.

[ElleBebe]

Originally Posted by Cubancoffee

Hmm, I would think that reading it in the paper would qualify as it being publicized.

But there's a difference between a front page headline and a short blurb only a couple paragraphs long buried in the back of the section.

[Hungry For Cheese]

Originally Posted by Cubancoffee

Hmm, I would think that reading it in the paper would qualify as it being publicized.

Yea but the OP is from Sacramento...informing ppl from L.A. about it. I had never knew this. Obviously underpublicized means is being emphasized in this instance. Like, overpublicized would be the original story. It would suck if the conductor was found to NOT have text, but that when he got clear reception lingering texts were uploaded into his inbox making it look like they were sent at the precise time. This wasn't the case, but maybe they should not be so quick to throw the poor guy under the bus......bad choice of words...but you know what I mean.

[NewToCA]

Look at the timeframe, the article mentions that the dim red light was discovered very shortly after the crash.

Go back and take a look at any discussions taking place in the media at that time and show me where it was prominently mentioned that the red light brightness was significantly deficient.

You won't see it, all of the discussion was about texting while doing his job.

Perhaps if the light had been sufficiently bright (the article mentions visible a mile away) the accident may never have occurred. Who knows, but it certainly wasn't prominently discussed.

Ever read any discussion about who is responsible for assuring that the switching lights (if that is the proper name)?

From the article:

one investigator said they could hardly see the red, and a "knowledgeable source" said the red wasn't clearly illuminated.

Complicating questions about the signals, a station security guard and two other witnesses insist that the final light was green as Sanchez pulled out of the station and headed toward the crash site.

The three men...were formally interviewed by NTSB investigators last month at the station. Investigators tested their ability to see the critical signal, one of the witnesses recalled.

"They asked on a percentage basis how sure I was it was green," said Chris Cassel, a train buff who regularly monitors arrivals, departures and signals near the station. "I told them a bazillion percent. There's no doubt."


I find it difficult to understand why folks aren't more outraged about this. I would think that the full truth would want to be known and disclosed. This seems like a case of "blame the dead guy" and let others who may have significantly contributed to the tragedy off the hook.