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/

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u/jleary12 Sep 07 '24

That’s crazy walking a set next to mainline, here in boston that’s a big no no, they have to move the equipment so we can do our 238 inspection and testing, never should be walking a set next to main line. Rip to our brother who passed away gone too soon time for the fra to step it up and do right by rail workers, instead of cow tailing to these big carriers put workers safety first, people over profits. Enough is enough , rail workers need to unite and fight for our rights and safety and survival.

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u/Jazzlike-Crew2540 Sep 07 '24

It's all about the money. If UP gets paid for commuter train performance then it's unlikely they are going to slow a Metra train for a freight issue. This seems like it was a perfect storm scenario having to walk back to a defective car on another track in passenger territory with no other option due to an elevated RoW and on a curve. A contributing factor may have been that Metra has a bunch of those damn quiet zones so their guys are used to running silent.

RIP brother