TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) _ The death of a man who spent much of his
life around trains is a mystery after his body was found beside
tracks in central Kansas.

Fred J. Lucero had spent a few weeks visiting family in Topeka
before boarding an Amtrak train early Tuesday for a trip back to
Los Angeles.

But at some point the former Santa Fe Railroad machine operator
left the moving train, and officials aren't really sure how. He was
found dead next to the tracks in Marion County.

Officials say it hasn't been determined whether he jumped, fell
or was pushed from the train. Information provided to the funeral home indicates Lucero worked
for Santa Fe Railroad until 25 years ago, when he became medically
disabled.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)