How trains are driven
My colleagues and I have a story that will post to The Times' homepage later this evening on the NTSB's statement today that Metrolink engineer Rob Sanchez' cell phone received and sent text messages in the moments before the fatal crash on Sept. 12.
In the meantime, I spoke earlier to George Elsmore, the program manager for the rail operations and safety branch with the California Public Utilities Commission. I had a simple question: what is an engineer doing with their hands while driving a train?
Elsmore explained that there are four basic hand controls that engineers use to operate a train -- a throttle that can be set in one of eight different positions, two brake valves and a horn valve. Unlike a car, the engineer doesn't have to be pressing or holding the throttle for it to run.
In other words, it is possible to run a train with no hands or one hand on the controls, Elsmore said, adding that it's not advisable given the different speed limits that Metrolink trains encounter.
"With these Metrolink trains, think of them as somewhat of a sports car," Elsmore said. "They accelerate and decelerate at a much quicker rate than a typical freight train. The object for the locomotive engineer is to maintain an optimal time schedule. They basically memorize the track speed and so in order to go up and down in that speed, he's got to be pretty much making frequent manipulations of those controls, either applying the brakes or applying the throttle."
"At any given time, his left hand should be engaged but it doesn't have to be," Elsmore added. "But the most important senses are his brain and his eyes, making sure he's observing the necessary wayside signals. If he's not looking ahead and doesn't see one of those, then he doesn't know what to do with his hands."
