Misaligned switch led to LIRR derailment, MTA says

Derailed electric multiple unit trainset

NEW YORK — A misaligned switch — incorrectly shown to dispatchers as being correctly aligned for a straight-ahead move — was the cause of last week’s derailment of a Long Island Rail Road train at Hall Interlocking in Queens, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority said today (Aug. 11). Thirteen people were injured, two seriously, in the […]

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MBTA plans 58-day disruption of commuter rail Haverhill Line

Portion of commuter rail system map showing MBTA Lowell and Haverhill lines

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority will halt service most of on its Haverhill commuter rail line for 58 days beginning Saturday, Sept. 9, to accommodate signal system upgrades related to Automatic Train Control upgrades to positive train control. Trains will be diverted from the Haverhill Line to the Lowell Line south of Ballardvale […]

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Missouri governor set to approve funding for grade-crossing improvements

Aerial view of accident site with debris of truck hit by train

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri Gov. Mike Parsons will sign legislation this week including $50 million in funding for grade-crossing improvements, and will announce a crossing safety plan with the Missouri Department of Transportation, WDAF-TV reports. Parsons will sign House Bill 4, an appropriations bill governing the Department of Revenue and Department of Transportation passed […]

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Brightline testing set for Melbourne, Brevard County area

Train approaches after passing through small S curve

MELBOURNE, Fla. — Brightline testing at speeds up to 110 mph will move into the Melbourne area as soon as this Friday, July 28, as the passenger operator continues preparations to launch service between Orlando and South Florida later this summer. Testing will take place on approximately 41 miles of track and include a total […]

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Railroad signals 101

Absolute signal

There is more to understanding railroad wayside signals than simply “green means go, red means stop.” To appreciate what the signals you see along the track are telling you, you first have to grasp a few basic concepts. Railroad traffic control boils down to three situations: trains running in the same direction on the same […]

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Three rail employees arrested in India rail disaster

Aerial view of collision site in India.

NEW DELHI — Three employees of Indian Railways have been arrested over the three-train collision in June that killed almost 300 people, Agence France-Presse reports. The country’s Central Bureau of Investigation said the men — two signal engineers and one technician — have charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder and destruction of evidence. […]

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Brightline celebrates completion of Orlando route construction

Large group of people standing in front of two locomotives holding yellow railroad spikes

ORLANDO, Fla. — With a display of civic support from mayors along its route, Brightline has celebrated completion of construction on its route to Orlando, as well as the contribution its employees have made in forging a unique passenger rail operation. The event today (Wednesday, June 21) at Brightline’s Orlando International Airport station comes as […]

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Brightline testing in Martin County postponed

Train approaches after passing through small S curve

STUART, Fla. — Brightline high speed testing in Florida’s Martin County, which had been scheduled for later this week, has been postponed, the passenger operator said today (Tuesday, June 20). Testing had been scheduled for Wednesday, June 21, through Friday, June 23, at speeds up to 110 mph through a series of grade crossings, as […]

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