[noodle]

> Am I under any personal liability?

i am not a lawyer, of course, but it doesn't sound like it based on your description.

> Does anyone have any experience with conducting a train as it derails?

yes, i was in a somewhat similar situation. i found a new job because i did not foresee the situation changing. it sounds to me like you're not actually conducting this train. if you were, you'd be able to make the decisions to make long-term fixes, hire more people as work increases, etc.. no, you're more like the guy shoveling coal into the engine.

this is just a job. you have no ownership and you're not even directly employed. if you feel like you're being exploited or thrown under a bus, you should probably go have a serious talk with management and start looking for a new job. maybe things will improve, but the best time to find a job is while you still have one. based on your description, unless they're paying you a fair wage for your responsibilities (or more than fair), i don't really see many up-sides to it.