July 18, 2002
17:43 – Per GCOR (Rule 1.28 Fire), UP176/YDA66 called to inform of a fire at ICC Chemical plant.
17:45 – Call Irving PD to inquire about fire status. Told by operator chemical fire was three alarm and to stop train movement. Moved TR567 to W. Irving to comply with GCOR (Rule 6.32.6 Blocking Public Crossings). Withheld proceed indication from TR569 at Medical/Market Center.
17:47 - Stopped BN1165’s movement – informed train of fire and hazardous smoke.
17:48 – Informed Manager of Train Operations (MTO) and Transportation Manager (TM) of situation. MTO requested name and number of IFD Officer in Charge (OIC). Called IFD on line #3. TM wanted exact passenger count of trains in affected area and whether or not crew could “smell” chemicals. Called crews on lines #4 and #5.
17:51 – Took out commuter schedule and began to restructure meets and run times to cause minimal delays.
17:52 – Contacted TR567 and assessed no chemical smells. Contacted IFD and received name and number of OIC.
17:53 – Contacted TR569 and assessed no chemical smells. Contacted MTO and relayed information.
17:54 – BN dispatcher called and wanted to know “Why the hell is my train stopped?”
Responded “Late train or dead crew, your choice!” BN dispatcher will relay situation to MGMT.
17:55 – TR570 leaving ITC on schedule and TR568 leaving Dallas Union on schedule. Schedule cannot be completed until railroad is safe. Possibilities – 1) Run trains until most eastern/western station before fire, then turn around. 2) Run all four trains and have meet at "closest-to-middle" stations. 3) Smoke cigarette.
17:57 – Call from TR568 – car struck at Med/Mkt X-ing. Blocking applied per TDM (Rule 60.1 Emergency Events Involving Freight or passenger Trains). Told crew to asses train and vehicle and report back via land-line as of condition of both.
17:58 – Called MTO and TM to appraise new situation.
17:59 – TR568 called via land-line to inform Med Svc needed for person in vehicle – “Looks pretty f’ed up.” Dallas PD contacted immediately and Med Svc dispatched.
18:00 – Call from MTO releasing hold on train movement. Began signal procession to move TR567 and TR569 for meet at SI. Called Signal Maintainer and MOW for TR568 situation. Looked at schedule. Sighed.
18:00 – 18:23 – Redrew schedule as trains ran. Assessed for latest running train and let TR567 be held for most loss.
18:23 – TM called releasing TR568 from hold – track and signals good. Integrated TR568 into “new” schedule.
20:24 – All trains back on schedule – smoked cigarette.
21:00 – Relieved by 3rd Trick DISPR.
21:23 – Finally started car. Went home.
01:10 – Finally could sleep.
TDM - Train Dispathcers Manual