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So I’m an engineer in the passenger rail industry who often reviews and has input into the HTL (hazard tracking log). Stopping the train is assumed 100% safe fo

So I’m an engineer in the passenger rail industry who often reviews and has input into the HTL (hazard tracking log). Stopping the train is assumed 100% safe for passengers and crew. (Edit: you might be able to find some of these online, as regulators sometimes publish them for comment if there is a waiver request… not going to dox myself though) Your point about external grade crossing hazards is valid… but also completely avoidable unless the train is super long (IE: not a passenger train) or the train was already going slow (like just leaving a station or signal). There are separate system safety plans to ensure that timely/safe evacuation is possible regardless of where the train stops. In the absolutely worst case, this means coupling another train and waiting the ~30 mins for people to walk through the train to the new cars, then uncoupling.

nier 3y ago
What makes a stopped train on a track 100% safe in terms of other trains or locomotives that might be oncoming? Are signals and means of communication redundant in a way that there‘s no chance of a collision?
- Symbiote 3y ago
  The signalling system is designed so there's no possibility of an oncoming (or path-crossing) train. On a modern system this is done with formal proof of the software, on an old system with mechanical interlocks.
  - jacquesm 3y ago
    Yes, and if you maintain it very well you will never have accidents. That's why Poland never has railway accidents, perfect maintenance and everything 'just works' /s.
    - persolb 3y ago
      That’s a bit of a tangent though. All of rail (even in Poland) is based on the assumption that stopped=safe.
jacquesm 3y ago
You're an engineer in the passenger rail industry in Poland? If not then you probably will want to familiarize yourself with the state of Polish rail infra before commenting further. It's a small miracle they don't have more accidents than they already do. The most recent major incident is two months ago: https://apnews.com/article/poland-train-accident-1db1a088c31f5a08ed41b884d15648f9 https://apnews.com/article/poland-train-accident-1db1a088c31... And there are plenty of others to choose from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Railway_accidents_and_incidents_in_Poland https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Railway_accidents_and... There are only two countries in the EU that have worse rail infra than Poland (Romania, Bulgaria). Rolling stock is off mixed quality and vintage, maintenance spotty at best.

nier 3y ago

What makes a stopped train on a track 100% safe in terms of other trains or locomotives that might be oncoming? Are signals and means of communication redundant in a way that there‘s no chance of a collision?

Symbiote 3y ago
The signalling system is designed so there's no possibility of an oncoming (or path-crossing) train. On a modern system this is done with formal proof of the software, on an old system with mechanical interlocks.
- jacquesm 3y ago
  Yes, and if you maintain it very well you will never have accidents. That's why Poland never has railway accidents, perfect maintenance and everything 'just works' /s.
  - persolb 3y ago
    That’s a bit of a tangent though. All of rail (even in Poland) is based on the assumption that stopped=safe.

jacquesm 3y ago

You're an engineer in the passenger rail industry in Poland? If not then you probably will want to familiarize yourself with the state of Polish rail infra before commenting further. It's a small miracle they don't have more accidents than they already do. The most recent major incident is two months ago: https://apnews.com/article/poland-train-accident-1db1a088c31f5a08ed41b884d15648f9 https://apnews.com/article/poland-train-accident-1db1a088c31... And there are plenty of others to choose from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Railway_accidents_and_incidents_in_Poland https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Railway_accidents_and... There are only two countries in the EU that have worse rail infra than Poland (Romania, Bulgaria). Rolling stock is off mixed quality and vintage, maintenance spotty at best.