Santiago de Compostela Train Accident: 56 reported dead

[Ziggy Stardust]

I was told that train operators in the US aren't even allowed to have phones with them when they are on duty, but I am not sure how true that is, I can't find a reliable source saying one way or the other.

[Sea Skimmer]

FRA rules ban use of all personal electronics, including railroad issued ones, while operating the train, but not carrying them. They actually ban all use for all personal on the train when they are engaged in duties which are safety related, which functionally covers almost everyone except maybe food service staff on Amtrak.

Some US states and some urban mass transit systems have stricter laws or policies. Some do ban carrying, while say SEPTA in Philadelphia where I live allows employees to carry cell phones, but they can only use them on the job after they have physically exited a SEPTA vehicle. I have no idea of Amtrak has stricter rules or not.