DARBY, Pa. — Seven people have been injured, one critically, after a Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority trolley collided with a CSX freight train on Thursday morning, KYW-TV reports.
The Philadelphia Inquirer, which earlier had reported six injuries — to the operator and five passengers — reports an eastbound trolley on Route 11, from Darby to 13th and Market streets, was struck at about 8:30 a.m. at 6th and Main streets in Darby, where the trolley line crosses the CSX tracks. Images on the KYW website show the trolley stopped adjacent to container cars on the CSX line. WPVI-TV reports a total of 20 people were on board the trolley.
CSX said in a statement that there were no injuries on its train and no leaks or spills were reported. “We extend our thoughts to those involved in this incident and will support law enforcement as they investigate,” the statement reads.
— This is a developing story. Follow Trains News Wire for additional information as it becomes available.
https://6abc.com/septa-trolley-crash-freight-train-collision-darby-at-6th-and-main-streets/11315618/
Operator error. Stopped too close to track. Evidence is gate dropped onto trolley.
Newspapres report the trolley operator and 5 passemgers were injured, taken to hospital, and all released.
Photos show neither the train nor the trolley derailed. The damage to the trolley was a glancing blow to the front platform on the door side with, of course, the windshield shattered.
Curiously, photos show the crossing gate intact and partially lowered on top of the trolley.
This is the only main line RR and Light Rail/trolley crossing in the USA. The trolley is the senior user of the crossing. The Route 11 Philadelphia-Darby car began as a horsecar in the 1850’s while the B&O RR did not come until the 1880’s.
Of course this accident is not unique to the trolley; a bus could just as easily be hit if operated the same way.
If you look at the picture it shows the roadway with the trolley tracks is signaled and gated with the gate long enough to block the traffic lane. Is this a case of crossing signal/gate failure or did the trolley driver ignore the crossing signal and bust through the gate? I’m assuming that the trolley was on the right side of the road in direction of travel.
Looking at the picture, that’s an accident waiting, no longer, to happen.
Is there any way for ptc to prevent such collisions?