(The Associated Press circulated the following article on November 28.)
DES MOINES, Iowa — The Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railway Co. has filed a lawsuit in federal court blaming an Iowa train engineer for a train wreck that caused an estimated $2 million in damage.
The Nov. 10 slow-speed locomotive crash damaged BNSF rail lines and equipment, the lawsuit claims.
Documents filed in U.S. District Court in Des Moines allege that Gary Cordray, a railroad engineer who lives in Fort Madison, failed to stop at a signal and ended up on a collision course with another locomotive.
A 4,000-gallon diesel tank was punctured and both locomotives and some freight cars were damaged.
An estimated 700 gallons of fuel spilled along a 1.5-mile section of the track, as did holiday popcorn tins and sneakers destined for Wal-Mart stores.
The crash also delayed an Amtrak passenger train for several hours.
Three employees, including Cordray, were injured.
Texas-based BNSF claims in the lawsuit that it “sustained extensive damage to its locomotives, train cars, trackage, lading and road bed, and other property.”
The company said Cordray was negligent in failing to follow proper regulations.
“Obeyance of train signals is essential for the protection of the safety and lives of BNSF employees, the safety and lives of passengers on Amtrak trains” and the safety of “others in proximity to railroad tracks,” the lawsuit said.
Cordray did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment on Sunday. Court documents indicated he hired a St. Louis attorney shortly after the collision.