Commuter Rail – Page 77 – Railfanning.org

N.J. Transit Identifies Preliminary Cause of Derailment

February 21, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEWARK, N.J. – N.J. Transit believes human error led to a track defect that is believed to have caused this morning’s derailment of Train 1252, officials said. Ten days ago, a worn switch was replaced at Ridgewood Junction and a portion of the switch was improperly installed, resulting in a condition known as “tight gauge,” where the rails are too narrow over several feet of track through the switch point. N.J. Transit’s standard procedures require a thorough inspection of any such work by a qualified employee before returning the track to service, as well as an inspection of all switches

New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal Redevelopment Effort Receives FRA Grant

February 13, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW ORLEANS — The future role of the New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal (NOUPT) in meeting the city’s transportation needs where passengers could potentially transfer between transit, commuter rail and intercity rail and bus operations will be examined using a nearly $1 million federal grant, Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph H. Boardman announced. “Hurricane Katrina changed the landscape of New Orleans in many ways, including a direct impact on the area’s transportation infrastructure,” Boardman said, noting that previously established population and transportation patterns in the region have been significantly altered. The $994,000 federal grant funding to the New Orleans Regional Planning

Amtrak Welcomes Chicago RTA Transit Checks

January 31, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

CHICAGO — Frequent users of Amtrak trains to and from Chicago can save money by buying tickets using special “Transit Checks” issued by their employers through the Chicago-based Regional Transportation Authority (RTA). Effective today, Amtrak will accept the checks that list Amtrak among the area transportation providers. Amtrak accepts RTA Transit Checks for the purchase of multi-ride tickets that are perfect for long-distance commuters and others who make regular trips in Illinois. They are also usable for other routes, with many available connections through Amtrak Chicago Union Station. “Although Amtrak does not currently receive funding from the Chicago RTA, we

Teamsters: MBTA Has Poor Safety Record

January 15, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

WOBURN, Mass. – Following the Jan. 9 deaths of two workers on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, the Teamsters voiced their disappointment to what they say is a poor safety record on the railroad. “Per mile of railroad operated, MBCR has one of the worst roadway worker safety records of any railroad in the country,” said Rick Inclima, Director of Safety for BMWED. “There have been four BMWED roadway worker fatalities on the MBCR since December 6, 2003, yet the railroad has not taken significant steps to improve roadway worker safety. MBCR management still refuses to even fill the vacant

Dispatcher Focus of MBTA Probe

January 13, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

WOBURN, Mass. — Federal investigators looking into a fatal wreck on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority are focusing their atention on a train dispatcher, according to The Associated Press. Two workers were killed Tuesday when an MBTA commuter train struck a piece of track equipment. As part of their investigation, agents are looking at conversations the dispatcher had with the workers, according to The Associated Press. The train was traveling 60 mph and was heading from Lowell to Boston when it struck a “speed swing” near the commuter rail station in Woburn killing the workers. A dozen other people, including

Investigation Into WMATA Wreck Continues

January 12, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – The National Transportation Safety Board is continuing to investigate the Jan. 7 derailment of a Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) rail car near the Mount Vernon Square station on the Green Line. The investigation team is completing documenting and measuring track structures near the crossover where the derailment occurred. Survey of the accident scene is in progress. The team is in the process of reviewing historical data and inspection records for that area of track. Twenty people were injured following the derailment. The derailed car, the fifth in consist, has been moved to the Branch Avenue Maintenance

Workers Struck by MBTA Train, Two Killed

January 9, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

WOBURN, Mass. — Two workers were killed Tuesday when a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority commuter train struck a piece of track equipment. The train was heading from Lowell to Boston when it struck a “speed swing” near the commuter rail station in Woburn killing the workers. A dozen other people, including 10 passengers, were treated for injuries. The incident remains under investigation, officials said. A “speed swing” is used to lift railroad ties. The two workers were employed by the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Co.

Metrorail Service Back to Normal After Sunday Derailment

January 8, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – Service on the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) was back to normal today, a day after a six-car train derailed near the Mount Vernon Square station. The Mt. Vernon Square/7th St-Convention Center Metrorail station, which serves the Green and Yellow lines, was closed Sunday, Jan. 7, from 3:46 p.m. to midnight after a Green Line train derailed as it was pulling into the station. The fifth car (car number 5152) of the six-car Green Line train headed north toward Greenbelt derailed and struck a concrete wall in the tunnel as the train was entering the station. It

WMATA Train Derails, 20 People Injured

January 8, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – Twenty people were injured yesterday following a derailment on the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). Service was disrupted for some time following the derailment near the Mount Vernon Square station. The train that derailed was six cars long. Although Mount Vernon Square station was open for Monday morning rush hour, authorities implemented speed restrictions for trains traveling through the area of the derailment. Of the 20 people injured, no one was reported to be in critical condition. The National Transportation Safety Board has been called in to investigate. In November, two WMATA workers were killed after they

Caltrain: The Future is Bright

January 7, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

SAN CARLOS, Calif. – Over the next two decades, Caltrain will makeover its whole railway, improving its tracks, bridges and terminals, and transitioning to an electric train system, according the to a Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, which recently released its 2006 progress report for Caltrain. “Bay Area residents can be proud that they have a world-class railroad in their back yard,” said Caltrain Board Chair and San Jose City Councilman Ken Yeager. “Our riders already appreciate the easy commute, and they are only going to see things get better.” The report provides a snapshot in time of the railroad’s