WASHINGTON — A conductor’s attempt to apply a hand brake while standing in the track gauge, while using a retracted brake stick, was the probable cause of an accident that led to serious injuries to the conductor, the National Transportation Safety Board said in its final investigation report on the July 2024 incident at Norfolk Southern’s Lambert’s Point Yard in Norfolk, Va.
The conductor was struck by a coal hopper that moved unexpectedly during gravity-fed switching at the Barney Yard section of Lambert’s Point, and had portions of his right leg and right arm amputated after being run over by the railcar [see “NTSB releases preliminary report …,” Trains.com, Aug. 9, 2024].
The NTSB report the reason for the conductor’s positioning is unknown, as is the fact he was using a retracked brake stick. Fully extended, the stick can be used to operate hand brakes, align coupler knuckles, and control other brake components from a safe distance. The report says contributing factors were inadequate application of hand brakes on the car that moved, and failure to comply with Norfolk Southern rules regarding fouling track and equipment.
Norfolk Southern subsequently issued a notice to all employees outlining the incident and reinforcing safe practices and observance of operating rules and procedures. The company also reviewed operating procedures at Barney Yard, reinforcing safety rules and continuing compliance audits and developed procedural documents to serve as job aids for specific yard activities. Those documents are now included in on-the-job training for conductors at Lambert’s Point.
The Federal Railroad Administration also issued a safety bulletin in September 2024 addressing the incident.
It was one of two serious injury incidents at Lambert’s Point in summer 2024. The NTSB issued its final report on the other incident, on Aug. 27, 2024, earlier this year [see “NTSB issues final report …,” Trains.com, July 15, 2025]
The investigation report was issued in October, but the NTSB is not currently announcing the release of such reports because of the ongoing government shutdown.
