The above CBS news article and photo seem to validate Gov. McMaster's statement.
The NTSB has already said the Amtrak train went through an open track switch. Was this switch under dispatcher control? If dispatcher controlled, had the switch failed and it was opened manually (with or without dispatcher authority)? Was is inadvertently left open? The questions go on and on.
I've seen some 'railfan' reports that CSX maintainers had been working in the area. Add that to a statement that the signal system was "down for maintenance."
A signal system failure should have resulted in trains treating the first failed signal as though it displayed its most restrictive aspect. This is usually (but not always) stop. A train could then be given authority to travel at 'restricted speed.' I'm not sure which rules are in effect at this location.
Here's a "typical" restricted speed definition from the General Code of Operating Rules 7th edition:
Movement at Restricted Speed
When required to move at restricted speed, movement must be made at a speed that allows stopping within
half the range of vision short of:• Train.
• Engine.
• Railroad car.
• Men or equipment fouling the track.
• Stop signal.
or
• Derail or switch lined improperly.
When a train or engine is required to move at restricted speed, the crew must keep a lookout for broken rail
and not exceed 20 MPH.
If the system is out of service for maintenance, an alternate train control system could be authorized. Any of these would likely have resulted in reduction in maximum authorized track speed, but not as slow as restricted speed.
I don't have any problem with the conductor being in the cab, although it is unusual in passenger operations. The conductor is the operating crew member responsible for safe operation of the train. Train operation is the conductor's primary duty; everything else is secondary. If there was work in the area, he may have chosen to ride in the cab to assist the engineer is maintaining safe operation. The engineer may have asked the conductor to join him in the cab. However, any speed faster than restricted speed would make it impossible to stop short of the misaligned switch.
I think this is going to be a "messy' investigation. I see a huge number of questions to answer. The NTSB has its work cut out on this one.
Ross