NTSB Railroad Accident Reports: Collision of Two CN Freight Trains - Anding, Mississippi

Collision of Two CN Freight Trains - Anding, Mississippi

July 10, 2005

Executive Summary:

On Sunday, July 10, 2005, about 4:15 a.m., central daylight time, two CN freight trains collided head on in Anding, Mississippi. The collision occurred on the CN Yazoo Subdivision, where the trains were being operated under a centralized traffic control signal system on single track. Signal data indicated that the northbound train, IC 1013 North, continued past a stop (red) signal at North Anding and collided with the southbound train, IC 1023 South, about 1/4 mile beyond the signal. The collision resulted in the derailment of 6 locomotives and 17 cars. About 15,000 gallons of diesel fuel were released from the locomotives and resulted in a fire that burned for about 15 hours. Two crewmembers were on each train; all four were killed. As a precaution, about 100 Anding residents were evacuated; they did not report any injuries. Property damages exceeded $9.5 million; clearing and environmental cleanup costs totaled about $616,800.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the July 10, 2005, collision in Anding, Mississippi, was the failure by the crew of the northbound train (IC 1013 North) to comply with wayside signals requiring them to stop at North Anding. The crew’s attention to the signals was most likely reduced by fatigue; however, due to the lack of a locomotive cab voice recorder or the availability of other supporting evidence, other factors cannot be ruled out.

Contributing to the accident was the absence of a positive train control system that would have stopped the northbound train before it exceeded its authorized limits. Also contributing to the accident was the lack of an alerter on the lead locomotive that may have prompted the crew to be more attentive to their operation of the train.

As a result of its investigation of this accident, the Safety Board identified the following safety issues:

• The lack of a positive train control system that would stop trains when authorized limits are exceeded,
• The absence of a requirement for alerters on the leading locomotive of freight trains,
• The lack of accurate and timely train consist information for emergency responders,
• The lack of procedures ensuring railroads, States, and communities conduct joint emergency response planning for hazardous material releases, and
• The need for locomotive cab voice recorders.

As a result of its investigation of this accident, the National Transportation Safety Board makes recommendations to the Federal Railroad Administration, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the CN, and all Class I railroads.

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