Train Configuration May Have Increased Risk

A man attempting suicide parked his SUV in front of a Los Angeles commuter train, then jumped out in time to watch the three-train chain reaction crash that killed 11 and injured 180. (See: Deadly U.S. Rail Crash Caused By Suicidal Man.)

Experts are now debating whether the crash was made worse by the configuration of the locomotive at the rear of the commuter train, rather than in the front:

"The configuration of southbound Metrolink train 100, which had a locomotive pushing passenger cars from the rear rather pulling them from the front, may have contributed to the severity of Wednesday's deadly derailment, according to transportation safety experts.

Trains pushed along the tracks generally have lighter, less sturdy passenger cars in front, which experts say have a greater chance of sustaining damage during a collision and are more likely to derail."

Thanks to Transport-Policy Group