Flooding on July 27 2004 slows Trains

I had heard of some flooding difficulties out in Western NY, as you mention. I have to laugh a bit, as I didn't know that train crews were qualified track/engineering/bridge inspectors. This then begs the questions: 1) what do they look for; 2) How do they look for irregularities(aside from the obvious), and 3) What happens if they look, see nothing out of the ordinary, proceed, and then something happens while traversing the bridge? I think I would simply wait for someone qualified to inspect the structure to determine whether it was safe before proceeding "on my own". Track dept personnel don't run freight trains so I shouldn't be expected to inspect track and bridges/tunnels, etc....