The death of a CSX worker in Ohio raises questions about the safety of one-person remote-control train operations, with calls for two-person crews to prevent future tragedies.
Bollywood Fever: A tragic incident in a southern California railyard has reignited concerns over the safety of one-person remote-control train operations.
The death of Fred Anderson, a CSX worker who was struck and killed by two remote-controlled locomotives in September 2023, has led to renewed calls for the reinstatement of two-person crews to prevent similar accidents in the future.
Anderson was working in CSX’s railyard in Walbridge, Ohio, when he stepped in front of two locomotives being controlled remotely by a colleague riding on the back of the second locomotive, unable to see the front. Despite following federal and company rules, Anderson was tragically struck and killed.
The use of remote-control trains, a practice first approved in 2005, was initially carried out with two operators to ensure safety.
However, it has become common for railroads to rely on a single operator to control trains, significantly reducing costs by using less experienced workers instead of licensed engineers.
Anderson’s colleague, George Oliger, believes that Anderson’s death could have been prevented if a traditional two-person crew had been in place. “If we had two guys on every crew… we wouldn’t be talking,” Oliger said in an interview with investigators.
Railroad safety has been a growing concern, particularly after the Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, last year, which led to evacuations and long-term health fears due to toxic chemical spills.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently investigating Anderson’s death, focusing on CSX’s safety procedures.
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has also issued advisories reminding workers to remain vigilant when crossing tracks, but no immediate changes to remote-control operations have been planned by CSX.
Randy Fannon, head of the engineers’ union’s Safety Task Force, argued that Anderson’s death could have been avoided if an engineer had been operating the train from the cab. The union has expressed strong opposition to the use of remote-controlled trains outside of fenced-in yards, where the risk of collisions with pedestrians or vehicles is higher.
Despite the controversy, safety statistics on remote-control train operations remain unclear, as FRA reports do not distinguish between incidents involving remote-control trains and those operated by engineers and conductors.
However, the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen union has reported that three of its members have died in incidents involving remote-control trains since 2015.
As the investigation continues, the debate over the safety of remote-control train operations, and whether two-person crews should be reinstated, remains a critical issue for the rail industry and its workers.
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