FRA: Safety Device, Human Error Caused Washington Derailment

Written by Kyra Senese, Managing Editor
rail bridges

A safety device intended to prevent trains from tumbling into Puget Sound forced a BNSF Railway train off the tracks last week, causing 3,100 gallons of diesel fuel to spill in Washington state, according to the Federal Railroad Administration.

The seven-car train derailed on March 16 as it was making its way from an Anacortes oil refinery to a swinging bridge over the Swinomish Channel, the Associated Press reported.

“Derailer” devices are present on both sides of the bridge, embedded in the railroad tracks, to force trains off the tracks when the bridge is operating, the report said. 

The morning of the derailment, the bridge was prepared for the train to cross, but at least one derailer was still in use. Two engine cars ran into the ground near an RV park and casino after the train’s wheels collided with the steel-wedge device.

FRA spokesperson Warren Flatau said there was a communication breakdown between the train crew and the bridge tender. He stated that neither the BNSF bridge tender nor the two-person BNSF train crew appeared to follow protocols.

BNSF Railway spokesperson Lena Kent declined to comment as of press time, AP reported. 

“It does appear that there was a miscommunication between the crew and the bridge tender regarding the lining of the bridge and lowering of the derails,” said Herb Krohn with the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers, which represents BNSF engineers and conductors.

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