Commuter Rail
Commuter Rail
Amtrak
Commuter Rail
NTSB: Engineer’s Inattentiveness to Blame for 2005 Wreck
WASHINGTON – An engineer’s inattentiveness to signal indications and his failure to operate the train in accordance with the signal indications and speed restrictions is probable cause of a September 2005 Metra derailment, the National Transportation Safety Board determined. Contributing to the Sept. 17, 2005 derailment of Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Corp. (Metra) train No. 504 in Chicago was lack of recognition by Metra of the risk posed by the significant difference between track speed and crossover speed at the accident location and its inaction to reduce that risk through additional operational safety procedures and other means. Also, contributing to this wreck was the lack of a positive train
Commuter Rail
Two Cars of CTA Train Derail
CHICAGO – The last two cars of a northbound Orange Line Chicago Transit Authority train derailed at 14th and State Street south of the Roosevelt Line station Tuesday, Dec. 19, causing delays on both the Green and Orange lines.Several minor injures were reported in the derailment. The train’s first two cars did not have a problem passing over a switch, but apparently the switch moved before the final two cars passed, causing the derailment, The Associated Press reported. At the time of the derailment, the train was traveling about 25 mph. Orange Line trains were operating between Midway and Halsted, and CTA operated a bus shuttle between Halsted and State/Van
Amtrak
N.J. Transit: Longer Platforms, Expanded Station Building Coming to Metropark
NEWARK, N.J. – N.J. Transit is planning to renovate the station building and build longer, wider platforms at N.J. Transit’s busiest outlying rail station – Metropark Station on the Northeast Corridor in Woodbridge Township. “These improvements will ensure that Metropark Station remains an efficient and modern gateway for commuters in the growing Central New Jersey region,” said Transportation Commissioner and N.J. Transit Board Chairman Kris Kolluri. “While providing an enhanced customer experience, the project will also enable the station to serve more riders in the future to support capacity expansion projects such as the Access to the Region’s Core tunnel project.” The Board awarded a $29.8 million contract to Anselmi
Amtrak
FRA, New Jersey Transit Begin Study of Portal Bridge
WASHINGTON – Public comments are being sought for a project to replace, repair, or retain a 96-year-old railroad bridge on the heavily congested Northeast Corridor connecting the Newark, N.J., and New York. The Federal Railroad Administration and New Jersey Transit will jointly prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS), in cooperation with Amtrak, to study improvements to enhance capacity and operation of the Amtrak-owned Portal Bridge that spans the Hackensack River. Originally constructed in 1910, the bridge is nearing the end of its projected lifespan, officials say. “Because of the bridge’s critical role in the successful operation of the Northeast Corridor, it’s essential that we consider all of the possible options
Commuter Rail
New Signs announce January Yellow Line Extension to Fort Totten
WASHINGTON – Metro officials are starting to install more than 5,000 signs and maps in the Metrorail system that reflect the extension of the Yellow Line to Fort Totten. The extension will be effective starting Dec. 31. The Metro Board in April agreed to extend the Yellow Line from Mt. Vernon Sq/7th Street-Convention Center to the Fort Totten Metrorail station during off-peak hours (weekdays, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., 7 p.m. to closing, and weekends) as part of the 18-month pilot. The District of Columbia will cover the $5.75 million cost of expanding service. By extending the Yellow Line to Fort Totten, passengers traveling beyond the Mt. Vernon Sq/7th Street-Convention
Commuter Rail
Commuter Rail
N.J. Transit Dedicates New Multilevel Rail Cars to Nine Communities
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — N.J. Transit dedicated its first multilevel rail cars to nine communities served by the state’s commuter rail system. At a Nov. 15 ceremony during the League of Municipalities gathering at the Atlantic City Convention Center, the cars were dedicated in recognition of the strong ties between N.J. Transit and the host communities of Trenton, Hamilton, West Windsor, Edison, Rahway, Woodbridge, Elizabeth, Newark and Summit. Each of the 234 multilevel cars will display a commemorative plaque in honor of a community served by the rail network as they are delivered over the next two years. “These municipalities recognize the importance of public transportation—both to their own residents
Commuter Rail
Two Killed by N.J. Transit Trains
BRADLEY BEACH, N.J. — Two people were killed Tuesday, Nov. 21, by a pair of N.J. Transit commuter trains. A woman was killed just before midnight Monday, delaying rail traffic on the North Jersey Coast Line. About two hours, as a second train was traveling to pick up stranded passengers who were on the first train, a man’s clothing was caught in a passenger coach door. He was dragged and killed, The Associated Press reported. The news agency reported a N.J. Transit crew member may not have been in the proper place to watch the platform as the train pulled away. The deaths did not cause any major delays during