The incident occurred about 3:44 a.m. on the NS Chicago Line three-track main line near Whiting. Eastbound NS train 256 was stopped on the center track while westbound train 61W was approaching on track 3, the southernmost track. Train 256 had stopped for a red signal about 3:38 a.m., with the conductor dismounting and crossing track 3. As train 61W approached, its engineer spotted the conductor in the foul of track 3 and began sounding the horn before the train struck the conductor. — Note: This article replaces an earlier version, reflecting a revised NTSB report which deletes some details included in the original Trains article.