In the shoes of mechanics. When enough is enough! (Swiss Press Audio 2014, by Maurine Mercier) - Swiss Press Award

Emission "Quinze minutes", Journal 12h30, RTS, la Première

Maurine Mercier

In July, two trains collided in Granges-près-Marnand, in the canton of Vaud. The tragedy left one dead and 26 injured. It shook the entire profession. It occurred just 5 days after the tragedy in Santiago de Compostela (79 dead). July saw a long series of rail disasters, beginning with the accident in Brétigny-sur-Orge in France (7 dead), and the Lac-Mégantic accident in Quebec (47 dead). Switzerland and its legendary trains were not spared. The mechanics were deeply saddened. For many, driving a locomotive was a childhood dream. A shattered dream. And yet, the SBB had to convince young people to choose the profession. A demanding, trying job. These are the candid accounts of exhausted mechanics who sometimes fall asleep at the controls.