(The following article by Patrick Driscoll was posted on the San Antonio Express-News website on February 23.)
SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Union Pacific trains traveling through San Antonio this morning were slowed for about an hour when a computer dispatch system crashed.
Officials implemented its backup plan, in which trains stop at each railroad signal and then proceed when a dispatcher gives the OK, said UP spokesman Mark Davis. That doesn’t include signals at road crossings, which worked as they usually do.
“It would slow rail traffic down, sure,” Davis said.
But no streets were closed, he said.
The computer failed at 7:57 a.m. and was back up by 9:07 a.m., Davis said.