Federal Railroad Administration, Office of Safety Headquarters Assigned Accident Investigation Report HQ-2007-45, Amtrak (ATK), Shafter, California, July 19, 2007

摘要

At 1:55p.m. PDT, July 19, 2007, westbound Amtrak (ATK) passenger train 715-19, operating in a locomotive forward configuration, struck the water tanker of a truck/trailer combination, which was stopped foul of the track at a public highway-rail grade crossing. The accident occurred in Shafter, California, milepost 904.4, DOT/AAR crossing number 023386G on the BNSF Railway (BNSF), California Division, Bakersfield Subdivision. The method of operation is Traffic Control System. The maximum timetable speed is 79 mph for passenger trains and 70 mph for freight trains. A total of 156 passengers were aboard at the time of the accident The Amtrak locomotive engineer sustained a minor injury and a service employee later complained of pain and sought medical treatment. There were no hazardous materials involved. Estimated equipment damage is $217,000; estimated track and signal damage is $258,000. The truck driver was not injured, however, the water tanker trailer was destroyed. At the time of the accident, it was daylight and clear with a temperature of 97 degrees Fahrenheit. The accident was caused by the failure of the tanker truck driver to pull the entire length of his vehicle clear of the railroad track before stopping.