CLEVELAND, June 22 — Two train crew members were hurt on June 11 when a Norfolk Southern remote control locomotive lacking proper point protection rammed into the side of a Grand Trunk Western train.
The accident happened at the Norfolk Southern yard in Melvindale, Mich. Instead of securing proper point protection, the operator of the NS remote control assignment relied on a yardmaster for clearance to begin movement. The remote control unit shoved out and rammed into the side of a Grand Trunk Western train, which was on the main line. The remote control locomotive derailed after nearly crashing into the GTW’s lead locomotive (it rammed into the GTW train six or eight cars behind the lead locomotive).
The locomotive engineer and conductor of the GTW train were both injured and taken to the hospital for treatment. One suffered neck and back strain and the other suffered neck and shoulder strain.