Councilmember and train expert declare ‘push’ train method unsafe

By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

Concerned for the safety of Metrolink riders, Moorpark Mayor Pro Tem Clint Harper and Simi Valley resident Greg Bell are using train models to demonstrate how the locomotive push method is a dangerous practice.

"I would advise Metrolink riders to not ride in the first car, also known as the ‘coffin car,’ while the train is in the ‘push’ mode," said Harper.

Harper expressed his concerns at a city council meeting last month. Metrolink was invited to send a representative to speak on the recent crash and discuss train operation procedures.

In a recent letter to the council, Metrolink indicated David Solow, CEO for the commuter train company, would attend the meeting on March 2 to speak on behalf of the company.

Meanwhile, Harper and Bell have been working on crash simulations in a lab at Moorpark College to illustrate the dangers of push trains.

The effort was inspired by the deadly train crash that occurred in Glendale in January. Eleven people died and about 200 were injured in the accident.

One of the trains involved originated from Moorpark.

The commuter train was powered in the "push" mode when the accident occured.

"The Metrolink crash simulations were very revealing," Harper said. "The derailments in the ‘pull’ mode had a much higher chance of survivability than in the ‘push’ mode," he said.

Harper will present his findings to the council next Wednesday.

"It’s a lot easier to explain it if you demonstrate it," said Bell, a piano tuner and train afficionado.

The pair set up two cameras to film the model as they were operating trains in the "push" and "pull" modes and crashing them. They used an HO scale model that looked exactly like the Metrolink train, Bell said.

"We are currently putting together a CD-ROM with the video of the scale crashes, data on the technical issues, and a full description of the experimental procedure and results," said Harper. 

During the experiment, when the train is in the "pull" mode, the locomotive and bi-level passenger cars stayed near the track. "Only in one try out of about 10 did a passenger car even tip over onto its side," he said.

In the "push" mode the passenger cars scattered all over the place, they jack-knifed or accordioned, Harper illustrated. Usually at least the first two cars spun and ended up on their side.

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen has been lobbying against the "push" mode of train operation for years, based on safety, Harper said.

There are solutions to make the trains safer, he pointed out.

The trains could be turned if a section of "Y" track is installed.

The "Y" track is an alternative to the turntable; it would allow the locomotive to be placed at the front of the train before it returns. If a "Y" track is not available, the engine could also pull the train while it goes backwards, provided the engineer has a video camera system to enable him to see ahead of the train.

"Objections can be made that a scale collision is not a perfect representation of a full-scale collision . . . that is certainly true, but the results are dramatic enough to at least warrant further engineering studies," Harper said.

At the council last month, Councilmember Keith Millhouse, who serves on the Ventura County Transportation Committee, objected to Harpers comments. He supported the Metrolink operations and said the accident was an unusual chain of events, involving three trains in the same location while a vehicle was wedged into the tracks, causing the collision and the ensuing results.

Harper believes that Millhouse, when faced with evidence, may also become more critical of Metrolink for putting profits ahead of lives, because, in Harper’s opinion, the "push" mode isn’t safe, no matter what.