Date of Publication:  2000

Sponsoring Agency:  U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration

Abstract:

In 1997, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) became concerned about track conditions on CSXT.  FRA reportable track caused train accidents had increased from 54 in 1996 to 86 in 1997.  FRA undertook a comprehensive review of CSXT tracks under the auspices of FRA's Safety Assurance and Compliance Program (SACP).  As a result of that audit, CSXT produced an action plan to improve track maintenance and inspection practices.  FRA continued to carefully monitor track conditions on CSXT.  In 1998, FRA found that the ratio of track defects detected during FRA inspections declined 12.5 percent; however, the number of track caused accidents actually saw a slight decrease.  FRA intensified inspection activity in 1999 by 23 percent.  Despite the increased scrutiny, defect ratios failed to improve in 1999 and the rate of track related accidents saw only a minimum decline.

FRA was also concerned about the nature of the track defects.  The leading cause of track related derailments was wide gage, a condition where the distance between the rails exceeds the allowable standards.  (The permissible gage is established by Federal regulation and is dependent upon the maximum authorized speed of the trains that operate over a given section of track.)  The second leading cause of track related derailments was found to be defective switch points and track hardware at turnouts.  Both of these types of track related derailments are easily preventable.  The fact that these conditions were the leading causes of track related derailments indicates a lack of quality in track inspection and track maintenance practices.
 

No. of Pages:  15