Interstate Commerce Commision, Report of the Accident Investigation Occuring on the PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD, MILLVALE, PA

1940
Automatic block system for movements with current of traffic; train orders and manual block system for movements a.gainst current of traffic. Double; 1° left curve; level Clear 4;17 a.m. killed ana injured Tram obstructing main track without authority and without protection. Inv-2438 To the Commission: On July 22, 1940, there was a ride collision between two freight trains on the Pennsylvania Railroad near Millvale, Pa., which resulted in the death of one employee and the injury of one
more » ... Location and Method of Operation This accident occurred on that part of the Conemaugh Division which extends between Fedex'al Street, Pittsburgh, and Conpitt Jet., Pa., a distance of 79.2 miles. In tne vicinity of the point of accident this Is a double-track line over which trains moving with the current of traffic are operated by an automatic block system, the indications of which supersede the superiority of trains; trains moving against the current of traffic are operated by train orders and a. manual block system. The accident occurred at a point 2,235 feet east of Millvale station or 9,433 feet east of CO, block station. At CO, block station a siding 9,580 feet long lies between the main tracks; the west switch of this siding is located 825 feet west of CQ, block station. At the east end of the siding a facing-point turnout, 310 feet long, for west-bound trains extends from the westward main track to the siding, and a trailing-pomt turn out 436 feet long, for east-bound trains extends from the eastward main track to the siding. These turnouts are con nected by a swrtcn known as the insloe switch. The normal position for the inside switch is for movement from the siding to the eastward main track. The collision occurred at a point about 5 feet east of the fouling point of the eastward main track and the turnout to the eastward main track or 207 feet west of the main-track switch of this turn out. The switch at the east end of the turnout to the eastward main track is of the hand-throw type and is provided with a switch-stand equipped with a non-swea.ting lamp. The lens of the lamp is 4-1/2 inches in diameter and is 11 inches above the ties and 4 feet north of the north rail. Might aspects are green when the switch is lined for main-track movement and red when lined for the siding.
doi:10.21949/1508602 fatcat:i6lgjzebb5fmhihm7shp3eha4i