# The Amtrak train that derailed may have been struck by an object.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amtrak-train-that-derailed-may-have-been-struck-by-an-object/720154>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [May 16, 2015, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amtrak-train-that-derailed-may-have-been-struck-by-an-object/720154 "2015-05-16T02:18:37Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\
**Post date:** [May 21, 2015, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amtrak-train-that-derailed-may-have-been-struck-by-an-object/720154/41 "2015-05-21T00:07:03Z")

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> [@2gigch1](#):
>
> I think it does plenty. We need to understand a cause if we expect to correct the problem in the future. If he fell asleep video will show that.
> 
> In this example video of what happened in the cab would go a long way towards understanding if the operator was truly at fault or was he victimized himself.
> 
> If it ends up that a thrown rock began this event then there is a rock thrower out there who needs to be caught.

yes but we already know a rock didn’t enter the cab. For the price of the video they could instal a radar triggered horn along the track as an interim to the integrated system. They’ve had them around for a long time for street traffic. Putting a camera in the cab doesn’t necessarily work for images outside the cab so it’s utility is limited to ideal lighting or multiple cameras that pick up images inside, outside and all around the train.

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**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\
**Post date:** [May 21, 2015, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amtrak-train-that-derailed-may-have-been-struck-by-an-object/720154/42 "2015-05-21T00:21:08Z")

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> [@Magiver](#):
>
> The type of train in question is different than a diesel electric freighter. They accelerate much faster

Why, because they make so many stops?

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**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\
**Post date:** [May 21, 2015, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amtrak-train-that-derailed-may-have-been-struck-by-an-object/720154/43 "2015-05-21T01:14:57Z")

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> [@carnivorousplant](#):
>
> Why, because they make so many stops?

They’re faster because they pull fewer cars and the cars are mostly air instead of freight. The recent accident involved an acceleration of 20+ mph in about half a minute. They really move out.

Now consider what happens to a driver on the highway who gets sleepy. They drift onto noise strips that alert them to an impending accident. In a train there’s a continuous alarm system that eventually blends into the routine. It doesn’t alert the engineer to any changes in speed.

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