The engineer running a New Jersey Transit train that slammed into Hoboken Terminal in September had a undiagnosed sleep disorder, according to his attorney this week. The engineer, Thomas Gallagher, recently discovered that he had severe sleep apnea. The test results that confirmed the disorder were sent to federal authorities on Oct. 31. Gallagher stated that he did not remember […]
Hoboken NJ Train Engineer Had Undiagnosed Sleep Disorder
New York Work Train Sideswipes Passenger Train, Injuring 29
A long Island Railroad work train sideswiped a New York passenger train on the evening of Oct. 8, injuring 30. While there were no life threatening injuries reported, Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano did stated that some of the injuries included broken bones and concussions. The passenger train involved in the railroad crash was the train that leaves at 8:22 […]
Flashing Lights Never Installed At PA at Deadly RR Crossing
A Halifax PA railroad crossing where a woman was killed in a train accident on Labor Day is only marked by faded crossbuck signs. The community is asking if there should have been flashing lights and additional warnings installed at the deadly railroad crossing. The woman, Trisha Hoffman, 29, died instantly on Sept. 5 when her car was hit near […]
CT Congresswoman Reintroduces Rail Safety Enforcement Act
Connecticut Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro is leading an effort on Capitol Hill to reintroduce the Rail Safety Enforcement Act, which would mandate that railroads establish and implement a Fatigue Management Plan. It also would provide railroad workers with a defined start time, or at least 10 hours notice before reporting to the job. DeLauro made the announcement at the West Haven […]
FRA Announces $25 Million Funding for Rail Safety Improvements
The Federal Railroad Administration has started to take applications from local governments, states and railroads for $25 million in grants to fund their railroad safety efforts. Applicants can ask for funds for safety upgrades to railroad crossings, tracks, tunnels, yards, bridges, etc. The grants have been made available under the 2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act. According to US Transportation Secretary Anthony […]
FRA Seeks Comments on Train Horn Rules
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is inviting comments about its controversial train horn rules that are 11 years old. Current rules mandate that locomotives blast their horn when approaching a railroad crossing for safety purposes. Several members of Congress from Colorado, including several representatives in the House and both US senators, applauded the FRA’s move and urged residents of the […]