On October 29, 2021, about 4:02 a.m. local time, a Watco Dock and Rail, L.L.C. (WDRL) conductor from WDRL train 202 was killed protecting a shoving movement when the train collided with a Gemini Motor Transport-operated combination vehicle at a private highway-railroad grade crossing outside the Greens Port Industrial Park in Houston, Texas. The conductor was riding on the platform of the leading railcar of train 202 when he was pinned between the train and the combination vehicle as both vehicles simultaneously entered the grade crossing of the industrial park.
We determined that the probable cause of the Houston, Texas, accident was the failure of the combination vehicle driver to follow the Gemini Motor Transport Driver Code of Conduct to stop the vehicle before entering the highway-railroad grade crossing. Contributing to the accident was the train’s movement through a passive highway-railroad grade crossing without adequate protection.
As a result of this investigation, we recommended that the Federal Railroad Administration and rules committees, railroads, and associations prohibit railroad employees from riding shoving movements through highway-railroad grade crossings equipped only with flashing lights or passive warning devices unless ground protection is provided.
