NJ Transit Train Crash - Yeah, I used to take those trains!

[FfNJGTFO]

If you're looking at the reports of the train crash in NJ at the Hoboken train Station, I am totally familiar with that as I commuted on those trains daily for 12 years.

A couple of thoughts... First, the MSM (as usual) got it wrong at first (although they may have corrected the report since then). These trains are "push pull" trains with one engine (usually) at the front of the train. They ususally "push" on their way into the Hoboken terminal (unless it's a snowy day and they need the engine in front). But the engineer is *not* in the engine when it is pushing (as reported by the MSM). The last car on the train is called a "cab car" and contains a compartment with all the needed controls for the engineer (similar to a motorman on a Subway). That's where I'm sure this engineer was.

As to the speed of travel, it's difficult for me to comprehend that the train could be traveling at "full speed" as described by the MSM. "Full Speed" is as high as 70-80mph! As these trains approach the Hoboken terminal, they have to go through a switch and then through a long tunnel before entering the main Hoboken Terminal switch. They usually do this at 35-40mph. When entering the terminal switch, At most it's running at 25-30mph through the switch. Any faster and one runs the risk of jumping the switch. As they enter the final track in the terminal after switching, at most we should be talking 10-15 mph and slowing down.

I don't know what happened, but we'll find out, hopefully. I'm looking at the damage on video and it's devastating. A lot of commuters are going to be affected by this. I understand the entire terminal is being sealed off. The best they'll be able to do is bus people into the area just outside the terminal and let them take the PATH train or the NY Waterway Ferry into the city. Alternatively, they can take the "Midtown Direct" service into mid-town Manhattan (i.e. the train goes on Amtrak tracks into NY Penn St.). But that's already way overloaded as it is. Hoboken is more for "downtown" NY and Wall St. areas.

Anyway, a tragic event, and my thoughts and prayers go to the victims and injured. I understand the engineer is in critical condition. I hope he recovers and can help shed some light on what happened.