On July 16, 2013, at a bout 1:20 a.m., central daylight time, westbound Union Pacific Railroad (freight train MSIDV 16 unexpectedly encountered a hand operated main track switch at MP 288 in the reverse position diverting the train from the main track onto two adjacent tracks at the Sharon Springs subdivision in Hays, Kansas. The switch was not equipped with technology to warn oncoming trains that it was in the reverse position. At the time of the accident, t he train was traveling in nonsignaled track warrant territory at a timetable speed of 49 mph. The lead locomotive collided with standing cars o n the spur track. (See figure Diesel fuel leak ed from the ruptured locomotive fuel tanks , and burned . The three crewmembers were injured. Damage was estimated by the UP to be $1.4 million.
We determined that the probable cause of the accident was the failure of the brakeman of train LDG89 15 to return a main track switch to the normal position after the crew had secured the train on a siding track . Contributing to the accident was the inability of the crew of train MSIDV 16 to determine the position of the main track switch in nonsignaled territory.
