About 12:15 AM 9-15-05 a Southbound Union Pacific manifest Q PBSR on UP Lufkin Subdivision (Old Southern Pacific Rabbit) suddenly swerved into Shepherd siding in Shepherd, Tx thru an open switch. The LEF52 Lufkin local freight was parked Northbound on siding. Only 150 yards from North Switch the local GP40-2 was destroyed by massive Norfolk Southern Dash 9 leading the thru freight. Engineer on local did not have a chance. From FRA:
HEAD ON COLLISION on Sep 15 2005 Union Pacific RR Co. [UP] RR Report 0905HO023 Involving FREIGHT TRAIN at 12:07AM
Locos(Total/derailed)3/3 in County of SAN JACINTO Texas Union Pacific RR Co. [UP] Track Maintenance RR
Cars(Total/derailed) 111/16
Speed 038 Eqp Dmg $1046620 Near or in SHEPHERD
HAZARDOUS Material 61 cars carrying hazmat
11 damaged/derailed
1 cars released
500 people evacuated
....................Track information....................
Siding Damage $76,075
Milepost 55.1 FRA Class 1
Total Casualties: 1 Deaths and 3 Injured
....Method(s) of operation ....Cause(s)....
Track warrant control Cause under investigation
Other than main track rules
MPBSR-13 STRUCK HEAD ON TRAIN LEF52-14 WHICH WAS PARKED ON A SIDING, RESULTING IN A DERAILMENT WITH A FATALITY AND INJUR IES. CAR SCMX4334, RELEASED 10 GAL OF METHYL ISOBUTYL KETONE. CAUSE IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION.