Community Corner
Investigators Find Fractured Rail at Scene of Collision
It is unknown whether the rail was broken prior to the crash or if it was fractured during the accident, National Transportation Safety Board member Earl Weener said.
Update, 7:36 p.m. (by Caitlin Mazzola)
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigators have found that a section of the eastbound Metro-North track toward New Haven was fractured at a rail joint.
Whether that portion of track was broken before or because of Friday's accident is unknown at this time, NTSB member Earl Weener said in a press conference Saturday evening.
The broken rail will be sent to the federal investigators' lab in Washington, D.C. for further inspection, Weener said.
He added that NTSB investigators will not determine or speculate probable cause of Friday's collision while on scene.
NTSB members have begun inspecting the train cars involved in the accident and have obtained inspection documents from Metro-North, Weener said. They have also requested maintenance records for the two trains that collided.
The train that passed on the eastbound tracks just before the train that derailed will also be inspected.
The NTSB's inspection will focus on the condition of the signals and track and the trains' brakes and wheels.
As of 5 p.m. Saturday, investigators had downloaded the railroad's signal system data relating to the accident and will review it.
"We're working closely with the Federal Railroad Administration and Metro-North to gather principle evidence and key measurements to expedite on-scene activities," Weener said.
Update, 11:41 a.m., May 18 (by Caitlin Mazzola)
At this point in the investigation of Friday's train collision just past the Fairfield Metro station, one thing just about certain: commuters traveling from east of Bridgeport should plan on not having train service in time for Monday's commute.
Gov. Dannel Malloy said in a press conference Saturday morning that there is no way of knowing when service will resume between Bridgeport and South Norwalk stations. The plan is to set up a system to bus commuters between the two stations.
U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy asked commuters to be patient. "We want to make sure the investigation is done right."
The National Transportation Safety Board's (NTSB) on-scene inspection about 7-10 days, officials said. Investigators will focus on "perishable data" first while the train cars remain on the tracks, an official said.
Once that's done -- in about a day and a half -- investigators can turn over the tracks to Metro-North for repairs, and the train cars can be removed from the scene.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation has already ordered the equipment necessary to clear debris from the site, Malloy said.
The remaining week or so of investigation will not require shutting down the tracks, NTSB officials said.
Malloy and other officials agreed the new M-8 cars may have kept this accident from being much worse.
"These new cars are designed to the latest standard," Malloy said, and while this is the first incident that tested their quality in such a way, the M-8 cars "responded well."
The newly constructed cars "seemed to have made a difference," U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal said. "These are better cars."
He described the damage as "absolutely staggering."
U.S. Rep. Jim Himes (CT-4) said that while the accident occurred between Bridgeport and Fairfield, "this is a truly regional problem."
Himes said that he and other lawmakers will be focused on transportation infrastructure and vowed to "make sure this doesn't happen again."
Original Story, May 18
The section of Metro-North railroad from New Haven to South Norwalk remains shut down Saturday as Federal transportation officials arrive to begin their investigation at the site of a train derailment that left more than 50 people injured Friday night.
Members of the National Transportation Safety Board will be leading that investigation, Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said Friday night during a news briefing from the scene of the accident, which is located on the Fairfield-Bridgeport line.
According to Malloy, the accident happened shortly after 6 p.m. Friday when one train reportedly derailed and struck another heading in the opposite direction. There have been no reported fatalities, though Malloy said at least one person was listed in critical condition Friday night.
There were about 250 people on board both trains, according to NBC Connecticut. Metro-North is one of the nation's busiest passenger rail lines and the disruption to service Friday night left hundreds more people stranded at stops along the coastal rail system in Fairfield and New Haven counties. Buses were brought in to transport those passengers to rail stations between Norwalk and New Haven.
For interviews from the scene, see:
Meanwhile, here's the latest from Metro-North on how the accident is impacting travel:
Reduced, hourly service will operate between South Norwalk Station and Grand Central Terminal. Regular service will operate between Stamford and Grand Central Terminal. Regular service will be in effect on the New Canaan and Danbury Branches. Bus service will be in effect between Waterbury and Bridgeport with no train connections. Yankee game day service will be in effect between Stamford and Yankees-E. 153rd Street Station.
For train schedule information, please visit the schedules page at http://as0.mta.info/mnr/schedules/sched_form.cfm
Patch will be providing ongoing coverage of this developing story, so check back throughout the day for updates.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
