NTSB releases preliminary report on fatal Amtrak-CSX crash

The fatal Amtrak-CSX train collision in Cayce, South Carolina, caused $25 million in damage, according to the National Transportation Safety Board's (NTSB) preliminary report on the accident.

The Feb. 4 incident occurred when a southbound Amtrak train diverted from the main track through a hand-thrown switch and collided with a CSX train parked on a siding.

The Amtrak train was operating on CSX's Columbia Subdivision.

A traffic control system with wayside signals typically governs train movement on the subdivision. However, the day before the accident, CSX signal personnel suspended the traffic control signal system to install updated components for implementing positive train control (PTC) on the subdivision, NTSB investigators determined.

During the suspension — which was scheduled to last through Feb. 4 — dispatchers were to use track warrants to move trains through absolute blocks in the work territory. The Amtrak train was operating on a track warrant at the time of the collision, according to the NTSB's report, which was released yesterday.

Amtrak's engineer and conductor were killed as a result of the incident. The engineer of the stopped CSX train had exited the lead locomotive before the Amtrak train entered the siding and was not injured. The CSX conductor saw the Amtrak train approaching the siding and ran to the back of the locomotive.

That conductor was thrown off the locomotive and sustained minor injuries, NTSB officials said.

The NTSB has inspected the track structure, signal system and mechanical equipment at the accident site. Investigators also have interviewed train crew, dispatchers and other CSX and Amtrak personnel.

In response to the incident, the NTSB asked the Federal Railroad Administration to issue an emergency order providing instructions for railroads to follow when signal suspensions are in effect and a switch has been reported relined for a main track.