NTSB -- NTSB TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON 2008 CHATSWORTH, CALIFORNIA RAIL COLLISION

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NTSB PRESS RELEASE

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National Transportation Safety Board

Washington, DC 20594

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 10, 2009

SB-09-05

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NTSB TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON 2008 CHATSWORTH, CALIFORNIA

RAIL COLLISION

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Washington, DC - The National Transportation Safety Board

will hold a public hearing on the 2008 collision in

Chatsworth, California involving a Metrolink commuter train

and a Union Pacific freight train. The two-day hearing will

begin on March 3, 2009, at the NTSB's Board Room and

Conference Center, 429 L'Enfant Plaza, S.W., Washington,

D.C.

On September 12, 2008 at approximately 4:22 pm (PDT),

Metrolink commuter train 111 and a Union Pacific freight

train collided. As a result of this head-on accident, there

were 25 fatalities and numerous injuries.

On the day of the accident, the Metrolink engineer, who was

responsible for the operation of the train, received and

sent several text messages on his cell phone while he was on

duty.

“During the hearing, we will receive testimony, in an open

forum, on safety issues related to the safe operations of

trains, including the use of cell phones and the calling of

train signals,” said Member Kitty Higgins, Chairman of the

Hearing. “Witnesses will provide vital information on

oversight of and compliance with the operating rules that

were in place on the day of the accident.”

Topics to be discussed at the two-day hearing include: train

signals, operating rules (including calling signals and the

use of cell phones), and positive train control.

Witnesses to the hearing will be representatives from:

Metrolink, Union Pacific, the Federal Railroad

Administration, California Public Utilities Commission,

Connex Railroad (the company that employed the engineer and

that contracted with Metrolink), United Transportation

Union, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, and

Wabtec Corporation.

The hearing will be webcast. An agenda and webcast details

will be posted on the Board's website, http://www.ntsb.gov,

when available.

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Media Contact: Terry N. Williams

202.314.6100

williat@xxxxxxxx

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