NHSL Accident @69th St.

KYW Newsradio is reporting a late night accident on the NHSL at 69th Street, with 33 injuries. A poster on a Red Arrow Facebook page claims one train hit another stopped one.

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/break ... 70822.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

At least 33 people were injured when an incoming Norristown High Speed Line train hit an unoccupied train car shortly after midnight Tuesday at SEPTA’s 69th Street Transportation Center in Upper Darby, according to reports...

At an early-morning news conference near the crash site, Upper Darby Mayor Thomas Micozzie said that 33 people were injured and that the train’s conductor was among those hospitalized, CNN reported.

The crash happened about 12:15 a.m. and is under investigation, SEPTA spokeswoman Heather Redfern said, according to CNN.

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2017/0 ... -accident/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ronnie said he was waiting for the train when something seemed off.

“I was waiting at Gulph Mills, the train came by and blew past us about two or three train lengths– stopped, backed up and picked us up,” Ronnie said. “The same thing happened at Bryn Mawr —drove past, backed up, picked us up. We got to the terminal, I stood up to get off…and smack”

Also, per SEPTA, all-stop service with 20 minute headways just started at 6am. No limited/express service.

http://6abc.com/42-hurt-after-septa-tra ... y/2332341/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

More local reports.

Passenger Raymond Woodard told Action News he was coming home from work on the moving train when it struck the other one.

"I heard the train going real fast... like, super fast," said Woodard. "And I looked up, and I saw that we're at 69th Street and said, 'Why are we going to fast?' And then we just hit the train. Boom! I fell out of my chair, glass from the window shattered, I hit my head. Everybody was on the floor."

Is PTC applicable or installed or required on NHSL?
Jim S
If "no", you can bet that will change.
EDIT: I'm not implying the accident was a human error issue (some reports say brake failure), but in any case NHSL will be under the crosshairs and people will be asking why NHSL doesn't have the same safety backups as the rest of SEPTA regional rail...

There is an ATC system on the line that will dump the train if it goes over speed. It's the same system that governs the MFL.

I don't know the details of ATC, but will it (in theory) avoid running into bumper blocks at the end of line, like Hoboken/NJT or Brooklyn/LIRR the past year or so, or a stopped train at the end of the line as here?
JS

In most cases, neither ATC or PTC apply within a terminal or yard area.

Isn't there a mandatory stop before 69th Street, a result of the August 1986 crash into the terminal? The passenger comment about the high speed coming in makes me wonder if that was missed.

"U.S. Rep. Bob Brady wants SEPTA to 'shut down' the Norristown High Speed Line until officials determine what led to Tuesday's train crash in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania"

"the transit authority should "shuttle bus" the line"

Full story at http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/loc ... 63153.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

mm670 wrote:"U.S. Rep. Bob Brady wants SEPTA to 'shut down' the Norristown High Speed Line until officials determine what led to Tuesday's train crash in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania"

"the transit authority should "shuttle bus" the line"

Full story at http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/loc ... 63153.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Bob Brady has yet to find a grandstanding opportunity he hasn't liked yet.

Remember, people in highway accidents don't get injured in train wrecks.

pumpers wrote:... people will be asking why NHSL doesn't have the same safety backups as the rest of SEPTA regional rail...

The P&W / NHSL isn't part of the Regional Rail system. For better or worse, it doesn't come under FRA jurisdiction in the same way as passenger rail because it has no physical connection to any other service, either freight or passenger. It's considered to be in the same category as the MFSE or BSS. But yes, given this accident I expect there'll be pressure to hold all of SEPTA's rail operations to a higher standard.