Miscellaneous
Year: 2006
NTSB
NTSB: Failure to Adhere to Track Warrant Control Led to Fatal Texas Wreck
WASHINGTON – The probable cause of a May 19, 2004, fatal collision between two BNSF trains was caused by one crew’s failure to adhere to an after-arrival track warrant requiring them to stay in one location until the northbound train arrived, the National Transportation Safety Board has determined. Contributing to the accident was BNSF Railway Co.’s use of after-arrival track warrant authority in non-signaled territory, and the Federal Railroad Administration’s failure to prohibit the use of such authority. Also contributing to the accident was the train dispatcher’s informal communications regarding planned train meeting locations. “This accident could have been prevented
Amtrak
Amtrak Crescent Service to be Restored April 3
WASHINGTON – Service by the Amtrak Crescent train will be restored to its full New York-New Orleans route, effective April 3, following the early completion of track work by the Norfolk Southern Railway. The service had not operated Monday-Thursday between Atlanta and New Orleans since March 6 due to the work. The track work, performed between Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Meridian, Miss., was originally scheduled to be finished April 12. However, NS officials have told Amtrak their work will be complete in time for full service to resume April 3. "We appreciate the great work by NS in making the track
Short Line/Regional
Sale of Grand Canyon Railway Possible
WILLIAMS, Ariz. – After nearly 20 years of devotion and resources, Grand Canyon Railway’s owners, Max and Thelma Biegert, are ready to be less involved with the day-to-day operation and have set forth a new goal for the future – to preserve the Railway as their legacy. Grand Canyon Railway has signed an agreement with Peacock, Hislop, Staley and Given, Inc. (PHSG) and are currently pursuing strategic business options, including the possible sale of Grand Canyon Railway. “Max and Thelma are looking forward to enjoying the fruits of their labor during their Golden Years,” said David Chambers, president of Grand
Commuter Rail
Trolleys Return to Downtown Cleveland
CLEVELAND – After a 60-year absence, trolleys will roll once again on downtown streets, offering a way to experience Cleveland’s past and future at the same time. Beginning April 10, office workers and tourists will be able to hop on one of two trolley lines developed by RTA to replace Loop bus service. The E-Line trolley will link entertainment and education venues. The B- Line trolley will connect businesses. Both lines serve Public Square, and will operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. with 10-minute frequency. If the nostalgic green-and-gold vehicles complete with cowcatchers, wooden rails and brass bells, don’t
Commuter Rail
AP: Iran-Pakistan Rail Service Halted
QUETTA, Pakistan – Rail service between Iran and Pakistan has been suspended, The Associated Press reported. Trains had been running between Zahedan, Iran, and Quetta. However, a series of rocket attacks and bombings led to the halt in service, the news agency reported. The bi-weekly passenger service and the weekly freight service was the only rail service between the two counties. There have been five rocket attacks against the rail line over the past 10 days, according to The Associated Press. No word on how long service might be halted.
Commuter Rail
Commuter Rail Safety System Being Tested
WASHINGTON – The federal government is testing new safety devices for commuter trains that are designed to better protect passengers during crashes, Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta announced. Mineta unveiled the new safety measures and released footage of a crash test of a train equipped with them during a March 23 news conference in Glendale, Calif., site of a deadly commuter train crash in January 2005. The test, conducted earlier in the day at the Department’s rail testing facility in Pueblo, Colo., was designed to determine if the safety devices that are part of the Crash-Energy Management system will
Miscellaneous
Train Accidents and Derailments Decline in 2005
WASHINGTON – The number of overall train crashes and derailments declined in 2005, according to the latest statistics compiled by the Federal Railroad Administration. Preliminary full year data comparing 2005 with 2004 shows that overall train accidents decreased 7.9 percent, including an 8.4 percent reduction in the number of derailments, U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta said. In addition, the total number of highway-rail grade crossing fatalities declined 3.5 percent and the grade crossing collision rate reached an all-time record low of 3.81 per million train-miles, he said. “Railroads are making progress, but we still have miles to go with
Rail Blog
Decapod, March 20, 2006
[Video has been removed] Video by Todd DeFeo, (c) 2006 Gainesville Midland No. 208, a decapod, as it appeared on March 20, 2006.
FRA
New Federal Rule Aims to Reduce Human Error As Cause of Train Accidents
ATLANTA – Visiting a railroad employee training facility in Atlanta, Federal Railroad Administration Administrator Joseph H. Boardman announced March 2 that his agency intends to issue regulations to address the most common human errors that cause train accidents. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is accelerating development of a rule that will focus on reducing the most common human errors such as improperly lined track switches, shoving or pushing rail cars without properly monitoring for safe conditions, and leaving rail cars in a position that obstruct an adjacent track, Boardman said. The proposed regulations will be published by September 2006. “The