Listed in chronological order with the most recent accidents first
Note 1: The Tables of Contents of these reports are
not hyperlinked.
Note 2: Documents marked "Brief" are summaries of
the full accident report. Full versions of the accident report will be
included as soon as they are available.
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| RA600051 | Collision
of Amtrak Train 304-26 with a Highway Vehicle at a Highway-Rail Grade Crossing
in McLean, Illinois on September 26, 1999
Cause: The failure of the signal maintainer to remove a jumper wire from the grade crossing control relay and, as required by the Union Pacific Railroad's written procedures, to verify the operational status of the grade crossing equipment after he had completed the maintenance work. |
USA | 2001 | 46 | $25.50 |
| RA600049 | Collision
Involving Three Conrail Freight Trains Operating in Fog on a Double Main
Track near Bryan, Ohio on January 17, 1999
Cause: Failure of the crew of train Mail-9 to comply with restrictive signal indications while operating at or near maximum authorized speed in dense fog. Contributing to the accident was the lack of uniformity and consistency in the operating practices of Conrail train crews when they encountered conditions of reduced visibility. Also contributing to the accident was the lack of a backup safety system that would have helped alert the crewmembers of train Mail-9 to the restrictive signal indications. |
USA | 2001 | 63 | $31.50 |
| RA600050 | Derailment
of Amtrak Train 21 on the Union Pacific Railroad at Arlington, Texas on
December 20, 1998
Cause: (1) track conditions that were inadequate for the speed of the train, (2) the decision of the dispatcher to delay notifying track dept. personnel that a train crew had reported encountering rough track, (3) the inadequate effort on the part of the engineer of Amtrak train 22 to contact the dispatcher to report the observed track defect and its location, (4) the failure of the tamper operator to adequately resurface the track 4 days before the accident, (5) inadequate Union Pacific Railroad oversight of track maintenance work, (6) inadequate Union Pacific Railroad requirements for restricting train speed over track with reported rough conditions until track dept. personnel can assess track condition. |
USA | 2001 | 44 | $25.50 |
| RA600047 | Derailment
of BNSF Ry. Co. Intermodal Freight Train S-CHILAC1-31 in Crisfield, KS
on September 2, 1998
Cause: Structural failure of intermodal car due to fatigue cracking initiated when a container was misloaded onto a foreign object. The misloading of the container occurred because of the railroad industry's inadequate preloading inspection procedures for double-stack well cars. Contributing to the accident was the improper and undocumented repair of the car. |
USA | 1998 | 63 | $31.50 |
| RA600001 | Collision Between
Central Kansas Railway "Hutchison North Switcher" and "Hoisington Local"
near Geneseo, Kansas on July 16, 1998 (Brief)
Cause: Crewmembers allowed their train to enter the main track without track warrant authority, and engineer failed to stop reverse move when communications were lost with the conductor on the leading end of the movement. Contributing to the accident was CKR management's lack of operational safety oversight. |
USA | 1998 | 3 | FREE |
| RA600045 | Collision
of Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District Train 102 with a Tractor-Trailer
in Portage, Indiana on June 18, 1998
Cause: Ineffective action taken by Federal, State, and private agencies to permanently resolve safety problems at the grade crossing, which they knew to be a hazardous crossing. |
USA | 1999 | 84 | $33.00 |
| RA600002 | Derailment of
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Train 642-43-626-27 in
Boston, Massachusetts on May 4, 1998 (Brief)
Cause: Restraining rail on inside of curve was not replaced following track maintenance, allowing a wheel on the second car to climb the high rail on the curve, derailing the train and striking a tunnel wall. |
USA | 1998 | 2 | FREE |
| RA600044 | Collision
of Norfolk Southern Train 255L5 with Conrail Train TV-220 near Butler Indiana
- March 25, 1998
Cause: Train crew failed to operate train in accordance with signal indication, failed to properly supervise student engineer, signal maintenance personnel failed to respond to a reported signal deficiency. |
USA | 1999 | 61 | $31.50 |
| RA600004 | Rear-end Collision
and Derailment of Consolidated Rail Corporation Trains PIBE-8 and ENS-103
near Hummelstown, Pennsylvania on September 29, 1997 (Brief)
Cause : "False Proceed" signal in which a Stop and Proceed signal (red-over-red) appeared to the train crew to be Approach Medium (green-over-yellow) due to a combination of late afternoon sun, water in a signal lens, misalignment of the signals, and obstruction by tree foliage. |
USA | 1997 | 2 | FREE |
| RA600005 | Derailment of
Amtrak Train 4, Southwest Chief, on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway
near Kingman, Arizona on August 9, 1997
Cause : Supporting structure of bridge had been washed away by a flash flood. Report deals with safety of structures subject to damage in severe storms, passenger safety and emergency response procedures, and protection of employees on or near the track. |
USA | 1997 | 101 | $33.00 |
| RA600046 | Collision
Between Union Pacific Freight Trains MKSNP-01 and ZSEME-29 near Delia,
Kansas on July 2, 1997
Cause: Failure of the NP-01 engineer to stop at the Stop Signal, enabled by the failure of Union Pacific management to ensure redundant safety systems for train operations and control, including effective crew resource management techniques and technological advances for crew alertness. Contributing to the collision and derailment was the failure of the Federal Railroad Administration and the railroad industry to aggressively develop and implement a positive train separation control system. |
USA | 1999 | 52 | $31.50 |
| RA600006 | Collision and
Derailment of Union Pacific Railroad Freight Trains 5981 North and 9186
South in Devine, Texas on June 22, 1997
Cause : Train dispatcher failed to accurately issue a track warrant, allowing opposing trains to enter the same block of track in non-signaled territory. Report deals with dispatcher workload, training, and oversight. |
USA | 1997 | 47 | $25.50 |
| RA600007 | Collision of Dallas
Area Rapid Transit LRV No. 114 with Caterpillar Front-end Loader in Dallas,
Texas on June 3, 1997 (Brief)
Cause : Driver of front-end loader proceeded through a red traffic light and turned left, directly into the path of the oncoming train. |
USA | 1997 | 2 | FREE |
| RA600008 | Rear End Collision
Between Missouri & Northern Kansas Railroad and Branson Scenic Railroad
Trains in Branson, Missouri on May 14, 1997 (Brief)
Cause : Chief Mechanical employee failed to ensure that a switch was properly lined before applying blue signal lock because he was preoccupied with disagreements he had had with the railroad General Manager. |
USA | 1997 | 3 | FREE |
| RA600009 | Derailment of
Norfolk Southern Train NS214 near Gainesville, Virginia on May 2, 1997
(Brief)
Cause : Crew of a preceding train failed to restore siding switch to normal position as required. |
USA | 1997 | 2 | FREE |
| RA600010 | Employee Fatality
on Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania on April 24, 1997 (Brief)
Cause : Track workmen failed to obtain permission from the train dispatcher to perform the assigned work, and failed to properly protect themselves by placing yellow lanterns or banners as required by SEPTA rules. Contributing to the accident was lack of management oversight to monitor the performance of track department personnel. |
USA | 1997 | 1 | FREE |
| RA600011 | Derailment of
Consolidated Rail Corporation Train ELBU-1 near Sandusky, Ohio on April
21, 1997 (Brief)
Cause : Engineer's improper handling of the throttle and dynamic brake which allowed the slack to run-in and cause enough lateral and vertical in-train forces to derail the train. |
USA | 1997 | 2 | FREE |
| RA600012 | Rear End Collision
Between Union Pacific Railroad Company Trains EM-20 and BVFW near Odem,
Texas on February 21, 1997 (Brief)
Cause : Train crew was inattentive to their duties and failed to ascertain that the rear of their train was clear of Yard Limits. Contributing to the accident was incorrect consist information supplied by a yard clerk. |
USA | 1997 | 2 | FREE |
| RA600013 | Employee Fatality
Involving Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) in Boston,
Massachusetts on January 30, 1997 (Brief)
Cause : Inadequate oversight of track maintenance employees on the right-of-way by MBTA. Contributing to the accident was a lack of MBTA Safety Rule Book and periodic safety rules training. Also contributing was the fact that MBTA had no procedures for assuring that all employees read and understand the Monthly Safety Bulletins. |
USA | 1997 | 2 | FREE |
| RA600014 | Derailment - Apache
Railroad Company, Holbrook, Arizona on January 27, 1997 (Brief)
Cause : Conductor closed angle cock and bottled air in train, causing 46 cars to run away downgrade and derail, puncturing a tank car of hydrogen peroxide. |
USA | 1997 | 2 | FREE |
| RA600015 | Derailment of
Union Pacific Railroad Unit Freight Train 6205 West near Kelso, California
on January 12, 1997
Cause : Locomotive engineer inadvertently shut down locomotives as train descended grade, rendering all dynamic braking inoperative. Train became a runaway, and reached a speed of 72 MPH before derailing at the bottom of the grade. Report discusses dynamic brake systems, placement of safety-critical controls in the cab, and use of air brake retainers. |
USA | 1997 | 51 | $27.00 |
| RA600016 | Derailment of
Amtrak Train 25 near Granite, Wyoming on January 13, 1997 (Brief)
Cause : Rail fractured under the moving train due to a poor quality field weld, in which the rail was not properly preheated prior to welding. |
USA | 1997 | 2 | FREE |
| RA600017 | Derailment of
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Train Extra 8520 West near Thermopolis, Wyoming
on January 11, 1997 (Brief)
Cause : Rail suffered a detail fracture under the moving train. Contributing to the accident was the inability of the ultrasonic rail detection equipment to readily identify internal defects in rail with surface defects. |
USA | 1997 | 2 | FREE |
| RA600018 | Employee Fatality
Involving Amtrak Train 110 near Secaucus, New Jersey on November 27, 1996
(Brief)
Cause : Stairway leading up to the track level was inadequately constructed, and did not provide flagman a safe location from which to observe the track for approaching trains while protecting a worksite. |
USA | 1996 | 2 | FREE |
| RA600019 | Derailment of
Amtrak Train No. 12 and Sideswipe of Amtrak Train No. 79 on Portal Bridge
near Secaucus, New Jersey on November 23, 1996
Cause : Improperly aligned mitre rail on swing-bridge allowed rail-end mismatch which derailed Train 12, causing it to sideswipe Train 79 as the two trains crossed the bridge in opposite directions. Report also discusses the adequacy of event recorders on AEM-7 locomotives. |
USA | 1996 | 51 | $25.50 |
| RA600020 | Rear-end Collision
Between Southern Pacific Lines Trains SP-7405-East and 1-LBBPX-29 near
Beaumont, California on August 30, 1996 (Brief)
Cause : Engineer and conductor or the striking train mistakenly interpreted the restricted signal indication to be clear because of sunglare. |
USA | 1996 | 2 | FREE |
| RA600021 | Head-on Collision
Between CSX Transportation Trains Q317-19 and Q316-18 near Smithfield,
West Virginia on August 20, 1996 (Brief)
Cause : Crew of eastbound train Q316-18 failed to comply with the written DTC authorization despite receiving and confirming the information from the dispatcher. |
USA | 1996 | 3 | FREE |
| RA600022 | Collision of Consolidated
Rail Corp. Train TV-77 with Track Maintenance Equipment near Lyons, New
York on June 29, 1996 (Brief)
Cause : Crewmembers of train failed to comply with Bulletin Order because they were inattentive to their duties, allowing train to enter restricted work area and collide with ditch digger, causing fatal injuries to the conductor. |
USA | 1996 | 2 | FREE |
| RA600023 | Derailment of
Montana Rail Link Train 05-021-MS-02 near Noxon, Montana on June 2, 1996
(Brief)
Cause : Rail section fractured in vertical split head mode under the passing train due to rail head and gauge face wear. Contributing to the accident was the inability of the ultrasonic rail detection equipment to readily identify internal defects in rail with surface defects. |
USA | 1996 | 1 | FREE |
| RA600024 | Collision and
Derailment Involving Gateway Western Railway Trains Extra 2942 East and
Extra 2037 West near Pleasant Hill, Illinois on May 12, 1996 (Brief)
Cause : Engineer and conductor failed to provide adequate protection for the rear end of the train and ensure that the rear end of the train did not obstruct the main track. |
USA | 1996 | 2 | FREE |
| RA600025 | Derailment and
Hazardous Materials Release Involving Montana Rail Link Train 01-196-10
near Alberton, Montana on April 11, 1996 (Brief)
Cause : Rail fractured in vertical split head mode under the passing train due to rail head and face wear. Contributing to the accident was the inability of the ultrasonic rail defect inspection equipment to readily identify internal defects in rail with surface defects. |
USA | 1996 | 2 | FREE |
| RA600026 | Light Rail Vehicle
Rear-end Collision Involving Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority
(SEPTA) LRVs in Philadephia, Pennsylvania on March 11, 1996 (Brief)
Cause : LRV Operator failed to comply with a 10-MPH speed restriction and failed to stop at a stop signal located 297 feet prior to the point of impact because he was inattentive. |
USA | 1996 | 3 | FREE |
| RA600027 | Derailment and
Hazardous Materials Release Involving Southern Pacific Lines Train 1ASRVM-18
near Tennessee Pass, Colorado on February 21, 1996 (Brief)
Cause : Student engineer mismanaged air brake system, allowing train speed to increase to the point where the air brake system no longer had the ability to stop the train. Contributing to the accident was the assigned locomotive engineer's failure to ensure proper train control. |
USA | 1996 | 2 | FREE |
| RA600028 | Collision and
Derailment of Maryland Rail Commuter “MARC” Train 286 and National Railroad
Passenger Corporation (“Amtrak”) Train 29 near Silver Spring, Maryland
on February 16, 1996
Cause : Train crew failed to operate train in accordance with signal indications. Report also discusses safety features of cab control cars. |
USA | 1996 | 155 | $41.00 |
| RA600029 | Near Head-on Collision
and Derailment of Two New Jersey Transit Commuter Trains near Secaucus,
New Jersey on February 9, 1996
Cause : Locomotive engineer failed to correctly perceive a red signal due to a diabetic eye disease and resulting color vision deficiency. Engineer had concealed this condition from his employer. As a result, he passed the Stop Signal and collided with another passenger train almost head-on. |
USA | 1996 | 47 | $25.50 |
| RA600030 | Derailment of
Freight Train H-BALT1-31 – Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Company,
near Cajon Junction, California on February 1, 1996
Cause : Kink in train air brake line rendered braking system inoperative on all but the locomotives and first eight cars as the train began to descend the grade. The two-way end-of-train device malfunctioned, preventing the engineer from applying the brakes by remote control at the rear of the train. |
USA | 1996 | 87 | $29.50 |
| RA600031 | Head-on Collision
Between Union Pacific Railroad Unit Coal Train CNAIM004-30 and a Helper
Locomotive on January 31, 1996 (Brief)
Cause : Brake cylinder hose fittings failed to maintain air in the brake cylinder during extreme cold weather, and crew failed to apply hand brakes to separated train, allowing one locomotive and 114 cars to run away down a 1 percent grade, colliding with two helper locomotives on the way to rescue them. Contributing to the accident was the railroad's practice of dispatching trains with tonnage near the tensile strength of the couplers. |
USA | 1996 | 2 | FREE |
| RA600032 | Collision Between
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Commuter Train and a Loaded
Semi-Tractor Trailer Lowboy on January 16, 1996 (Brief)
Cause : Truck driver failed to recognize the danger of getting hung-up on the crossing and drove the vehicle onto the grade crossing without knowing he could safely traverse the tracks. |
USA | 1996 | 3 | FREE |
| RA600033 | Derailment of
Norfolk Southern Railroad Train Z48V405 near Ellett, Virginia on January
7, 1996 (Brief)
Cause : Insufficient braking capabilities on the 98 loaded grain cars as the train descended a 1.4 percent grade under adverse weather conditions. |
USA | 1996 | 2 | FREE |
| RA600034 | Collision of Washington
Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Train T-111 with Standing Train at
Shady Grove Passenger Station, Gaithersburg, Maryland on January 6, 1996
Cause : Automatic train control system malfunctioned during snow storm, allowing train to glide past scheduled station stop and collide with standing train 470 feet past the station platform. |
USA | 1996 | 106 | $33.00 |
| RA600035 | Collision of Northeast
Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Corporation (METRA) Train and Transportation
Joint Agreement School District 47/155 School Bus at Railroad/Highway Grade
Crossing in Fox River Grove, Illinois, on October 25, 1995
Cause : IDOT failed to recognize short queuing area and take corrective action, failed to recognize “short green” traffic signal time and correct, failed to communicate effectively with railroad regarding design of traffic signal preemption; school district failed to instruct its bus drivers on route hazards. |
USA | 1995 | 82 | $29.50 |
| RA600036 | Steam Locomotive
Firebox Explosion on the Gettysburg Railroad near Gardners, Pennsylvania
on June 16, 1995
Cause : Train crew failed to maintain the water in the locomotive boiler at a level sufficient to cover the crown sheet. Previous boiler repairs had not been made correctly, and the train crew did not sufficiently understand their duties. |
USA | 1995 | 63 | $27.00 |
| RA600037 | Collision Involving
Two New York City Subway Trains on the Williamsburg Bridge in Brooklyn,
New York on June 5, 1995
Cause : Train operator experienced a “sleep episode”, causing him to pass a Stop Signal. Braking distance between signals was also found to be inadequate. Contributing factor was improper radio procedure. |
USA | 1995 | 57 | $27.00 |
| RA600038 | Highway/Rail Grade
Crossing Collision near Sycamore, South Carolina on May 2, 1995
Cause : “Low-boy” trailer stuck on humped crossing – motor carrier failed to provide appropriate guidance to driver for responding to emergency situations. |
USA | 1995 | 104 | $33.00 |
| RA600039 | Collision and
Derailment of Two Subway Trains – Metropolitan Transportation Authority
– New York City Transit, in Brooklyn, New York, on February 9, 1995
Cause : Inadequate oversight and compliance program of railroad management to ensure that train operators comply with the published operating rules. |
USA | 1995 | 57 | $27.00 |
| RA600040 | Derailment of
Amtrak Train 49 on Conrail Trackage near Batavia, New York on August 3,
1994
Cause : Flattened rail head allowed “wheel-climb” derailment. Current U.S. rail guidelines do not address the problem of flattened rail. |
USA | 1994 | 49 | $25.50 |
| RA600054 | Amtrak
Train 87 Derailment After Colliding With Intermodal Trailer From CSXT Train
176 in Selma, North Carolina on May 16, 1994
Cause: Failure of the CSXT Intermodal Corp. loading crew to properly secure the intermodal trailer to the flat car on CSXT 176 and the failure of CSX Intermodal Corp. to have in place a comprehensive inspection program. |
USA | 1995 | 64 | $27.00 |
| RA200042 | Collision
of Amtrak Train No. 88 with Rountree Transport and Rigging, Inc. Vehicle
on CSX Transportation, Inc. Railroad Near Intercession City, Florida on
November 30, 1993
Cause: Failure of Rountree to notify CSXT in advance of its intent to cross the railroad track and to ensure through CSXT that it was safe to do so. Contributing to the accident were deficiencies in the permitting processes of CSXT and FDOT that resulted in a lack of appropriate guidance for permitting officials, oversize, low-clearance vehicle operators, and escort personnel. |
USA | 1994 | 73 | $34.00 |
| RA600043 | Derailment
of Amtrak Train No. 2 on the CSXT Big Bayou Canot Bridge near Mobile, Alabama
- September 22, 1993
Cause: Barge pilot became disoriented in night fog and allowed his barge to strike and displace railroad bridge, causing subsequent passenger train to fall through displaced bridge into water, killing 47 people. Barge pilot was not competent in radar navigation. |
USA | 1993 | 4 | FREE |
| RA600055 | Collision
Between Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District Eastbound Train
7 and Westbound Train 12 near Gary, Indiana on January 18, 1993
Cause: Inattentiveness of the engineer on Train 7, resulting in his train passing a stop signal and partially blocking the westbound track. Contributing to the severity of the accident was the failure of the engineer on Train 12 to take timely action to slow or stop his train before the collision. Contributing to the severity of the injuries was the breach of the passenger compartment in the lead cars of both trains. |
USA | 1993 | 27 | $25.50 |
| RA620011 | Derailment
of Burlington Northern Freight Train No. 01-142-30 and Release of Hazardous
Materials in the Town of Superior, Wisconsin on June 30, 1992
Cause: Failure of the rail from an undetected preexisting detail fracture that had initiated from shelling and had reached critical size. Also causal were (a) the Federal Railroad Administration track safety standards, which failed to adequately address rail-head surface conditions (such as shelling) that are known to be associated with rail fracture modes and failed to require remedial action; and (b) the lack of objective criteria to assess the risk posed by shelled rail, which has not been adequately addressed by the railroad industry and the Federal Railroad Administration. |
USA | 1994 | 107 | $36.50 |
| RA600041 | Head-on Collision
of CSX Transportation Freight Trains Extra 4443 North and Extra 4309 South
in East Concord, New York on February 6, 1987
Cause : Railroad operator faxed the train orders to the wrong station. Railroad management failed to issue and enforce procedures for traincrews to verify the accuracy of train orders before acting on them. |
USA | 1987 | 37 | $28.50 |
| RA600042 | Derailment of
Amtrak Passenger Train 8 Operating on the Soo Line Railroad, Fall River,
Wisconsin on October 9, 1986
Cause : Switch tender circumvented the safety of the signal system, allowing the route to be changed to diverging after a signal was displayed for normal speed movement. Railroad management was aware of this procedure and considered it acceptable. |
USA | 1986 | 60 | $31.50 |
All prices are in U.S. Dollars.