- 9 -
The motorman's operating record contained several rule violations, such as not being on train at scheduled time; improperly displaying the front marker lights; not securing safety chains; improper use of emergency brakes; rough stops; wearing an improper uniform; reading while train was in motion; and failing to stand in cab at required locations. In two instances he operated past a stop signal; the train derailed in one case. He had been reinstructed in operating rules several times and he had been suspended from duty at times because of rule violations. One accident was attributed to him. His record contains at least one commendation for alertness and his work record had shown some improvement during 1975. The motorman indicated that he had rested well the night before the accident, and that he was not under any emotional or mental stress at the time.
The Amalgamated Transit Union contract with the CTA covers the Lake-Dan Ryan motorman. The contract limits the use of an employee's discipline record to 1 year for disciplinary purposes.
According to information received from the Chicago Police Department, four marijuana cigarettes were allegedly found in a handbag belonging to the motorman of the Lake-Dan Ryan train after the accident. He voluntarily submitted blood and urine samples for analysis. The blood tests were negative for alcohol, barbiturates, and amphetamines. The urine samples were submitted to two laboratories for analysis. One laboratory showed traces of THC [1] in the urine. The second laboratory failed to detect anything unusual on its first test. A second test, performed after the laboratory's instruments were recalibrated, detected the presence of THC. Neither laboratory could determine how long before the accident the marijuana had been ingested.
Train Information
Each CTA train has at least one set of two cars which are connected semi-permanently. Each end of these two-car sets has energy-absorbing, automatic, electric couplers. The draft arrangements at the ends of each car are designed so that when compression or buff forces exceed 125,000 pounds, bolts are sheared and the draft gears compress; this allows the anti-climbers located on the car ends to engage.
The cars on the Ravenswood train were manufactured by the St. Louis Car Company about 1950. The train weighed about 312,000 pounds. The and posts were designed to absorb energy by yielding and deforming
- ↑ THC is the abbreviated signature for a metabolite delta~9-THC-acid found in human urine after ingesting delta-9-tetrahydrocannibinol, the active substance found in marijuana.
