Man's death on Kan. railroad tracks a mystery

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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 Missouri.

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.