The NTSB's Sound of Silence

 From about 2005 until 2018 every time there was a serious passenger train or freight derailment, the NTSB would always make some remark about how the trains involved lacked PTC and/or how PTC could prevent accidents like the ones in question.  It was almost like such remarks were included in their press release template.  Well here we are in 2021, billions of dollars have been spent, average trains speeds and capacities have come down and yet trains are still derailing in pretty much the same ways they did before. 

BNSF Hi-Line Near Joplin, MT

After Amtrak Train 8 derailed near Joplin, MT, killing three, the revised NTSB press release simply notes that PTC was installed and the train was operating below (of course) the same 79mph speed limit.  I guess it would be inconvenient for them to point out that 97% of accidents are not PTC preventable.  Or maybe credit the robust build quality of the Amtrak Superliner equipment for saving lives in a more cost effective manner than a fancy new technology. 

We are now in the PTC era, trains are still derailing, speeds are the same or slower and the best defense in an accident is equipment that won't rip open or turn into confetti when your train rams into a low bow trailer carrying an excavator.