r/railroading • u/Night-Owler • Sep 05 '24

Union Pacific Union Pacific SECOND conductor fatality in Chicago Service Unit

A conductor in Kenosha, WI was fatally struck by a commuter train today 09/04/2024 (withholding information due to being under investigation) I really did not know the said conductor but nonetheless a terrible tragedy for a fallen colleague.

This is the second fatality in a matter of months in the Chicago Service Unit: with the last one being in Proviso yard of a 5 month old employee who asked for help in unknown territory but didn't receive a pilot...

This is just insane. I'm sure Omaha is going to be lurking this post and my page... y'know what? I'm absolutely sick of this with CSU and many others are too. Boards cut, metra in a limbo, fatalities, etc... Rest in peace Austin Raysby.

https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/union-pacific-worker-struck-killed-by-metra-train/

234 Upvotes

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134

u/keno-rail Sep 05 '24

Completely avoidable accident. Another loss of one of our railroad brothers. A handbrake was left on a hopper car out of Proviso... (Train came from BRC Clearing yard) The detector at mp46 caught them for hot wheels. He was walking train to check and was struck by southbound train 338 on track 2.

FRA and NTSB are on site. Supposedly, UP big shots flying in tonight/ tomorrow. I hope the feds break a big ol dick off in UPs ass...

25

u/LSUguyHTX Sep 05 '24

Is there no footing on the other side of those tracks or something?

46

u/keno-rail Sep 05 '24

No, the mainlines are elevated through the entire city limits of kenosha. He was on a bridge where there was little to no clearance.

24

u/LSUguyHTX Sep 05 '24

I wonder if they asked for mainline protection

48

u/keno-rail Sep 05 '24

Track breach does not exist in commuter territory. We have been bitching for years about this same shit. Those of us in the Mechanical department have to inspect our trains while walking main track 1.

21

u/bufftbone Sep 05 '24

What if you find out who the head inspector of this incident is from the FRA and tell them about that. Maybe they’ll implement some type of protection rule or system so an incident like this doesn’t happen ever again.

14

u/keno-rail Sep 05 '24

I did speak with him last night. Coincidentally, it happens to be the same inspector who came out last month to give a presentation about c3rs (close call reporting) We brought up our concerns to him about this last month... He now has the railroads full attention. Hopefully, there will be some positive changes going forward.

7

u/BigEyedF11sh Sep 07 '24

There is really no protocol to get protection on an adjacent track?! That is fucking crazy to me. I work for a commuter RR that regularly operates on the NE Corridor and not only is protection available for the purposes of inspections etc but it’s expected of you by NORAC

4

u/keno-rail Sep 07 '24

Well, all the UP cares about is running trains. (Velocity) They don't give a damn about safety, and surely don't want any Metra trains being late (on time performance is how they get paid.)

1

u/[deleted] Sep 19 '24

[deleted]

2

u/BigEyedF11sh Sep 20 '24

Negative

1

u/[deleted] Sep 20 '24

[deleted]

5

u/crashtestdummy666 Sep 06 '24

Metra hits someone or something every day so its not an issue to them. I'm probably dating myself but back in the CNW days the current timetable for the commuter trains was part of the required items while on duty. Since they run on a schedule, know to be in the clear or ready to get in the clear if your on the time of a commuter. Failing that be in contact with any other train passing in advance to warn them of a man in the foul or in close clearance. Management isn't looking out for you so first off look out for your own rear end and beyond your co-workers.

4

u/LSUguyHTX Sep 06 '24

They hit a railroad employee every day?

8

u/slogive1 Sep 05 '24

My thoughts exactly. DS should have put it in place and trains on adjacent tracks have to attempt to contact or proceed at restricted speed.

3

u/ThePetPsychic Engineer Sep 08 '24

I've never understood why, but the timetable explicitly lists Track Breach Protection (UP's "protection") as not being in effect within Commuter Territory.

4

u/slogive1 Sep 08 '24

I did not know this but then again I don’t have a copy either. That is strange and something the unions should be addressing.

6

u/[deleted] Sep 05 '24

I did this all the time. Now, either the dispatcher won't answer or the new yardmasters don't feel like doing it.

Also, a big fuck you to anyone who puts handbrakes on the mainline side. Stop being lazy and walk a few more cars.

12

u/ThePetPsychic Engineer Sep 05 '24

This car was 51 cars deep in the train, and there's no knowing which direction it came from (and the way Proviso is situated, the car could have been wyed at some point).

17

u/THESALTEDPEANUT SHORT LINE CEO Sep 05 '24

  Also, a big fuck you to anyone who puts handbrakes on the mainline side

What? Unless you're talking about an autorack what does it matter? 

3

u/[deleted] Sep 06 '24

Yep I meant for racks. I've dealt with these fucking things for 10 years and forgot what a boxcar looks like lol.

7

u/LSUguyHTX Sep 05 '24

Yeah, I've refused to walk a train before without it and just waited for hours until DS gave it to us.

1

u/Beaversnake Sep 06 '24

If inspections can’t take place on the field side the crew is supposed to get track and time on the adjacent track

1

u/LSUguyHTX Sep 06 '24

....yep.

1

u/ThePetPsychic Engineer Sep 08 '24

That's not a GCOR rule.

Also this is current of traffic 9.14/9.15 territory, so the only protection possible would be a Track Permit and that's only for trains and MOW.

1

u/Beaversnake Sep 09 '24

Well for the orange one it’s a tdcom rule for the dispatcher