UNION PACIFIC TRAIN ACCIDENTS

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Synopsis

At about 4:20 a.m., on October 29, 1997, a Union Pacific Railroad (UP) train collided with the rear car of a standing UP train at milepost 48.6 (Navasota Junction) of the UPRR Fort Worth Subdivision. The Extra 3478 South was stopped, and setting cars out at Navasota Junction at the time of the collision.

The Extra UP 3581 South consisted of a 2 crewmembers, 2 locomotives, 35 loaded and 27 empty freight cars. The Extra UP 3478 South consisted of 2 crewmembers, 4 locomotives, 105 loaded, and 3 empty freight cars. Both locomotive units and the first 12 cars of the Extra 3581 South were derailed in the collision. The rear car of the Extra 2478 South was also derailed.

A fire erupted caused by ignited diesel fuel from UP train 3581, which was quickly extinguished by responding emergency forces. There were no injuries to the crew of the Extra 3478 South. The engineer of the Extra 3581 South sustained a minor injury.

The crew of the striking train had gone on duty at Hearne, Texas, at 11:59 p.m., on October 28, 1997. During interviews conducted by Safety Board investigators, the conductor of the striking train told investigators that both crewmen discussed how tired they were after going on duty. The engineer admitted to drinking a few beers prior to going on duty, and had not been observed by a supervisor at the time of going on duty.

Breath analysis was performed on the engineer and conductor of the striking train. The testing results indicated an alcohol reading for the engineer, of 0.091. The test of the conductor indicated 0.000. The test of the engineer was performed at 10:44 a.m. on the day of the accident. Blood and urine samples were also obtained from both crewmembers.

Injuries to Persons

INJURY TABLE

Damage

Damages were estimated to be $225,200.

Issues

The potential major safety issues emerging from the investigation of this accident are:

Parties to the investigation