Metrolink to Enhance Safety and Performance by Adding Locomotives

Metrolink has made the decision to add a second locomotive to each train set beginning as soon as possible. Beginning this month in a collaborative effort using BNSF Railway locomotives, Metrolink will soon have a locomotive on either end of each train to complement the passenger rail's existing fleet. "We are taking this additional step as a redundancy to keep our riders safe, while a second locomotive will address some of our recent mechanical delays," Metrolink Chief Executive Officer Art Leahy said. "I want to reassure all Metrolink riders we continue to be dedicated to be the safest railroad in the nation." In 2010, Metrolink introduced its Hyundai-Rotem cab and passenger rail cars to its fleet. Hyundai-Rotem cab cars are positioned on the opposite end from the locomotive in Metrolink's current configuration of train sets. A BNSF locomotive will soon be positioned in front of each cab car. A review of the Hyundai-Rotem cab cars began earlier this year. On Feb. 24, an unoccupied truck and trailer on the tracks was struck by Metrolink Ventura County Line Train 102 near the Rice Avenue rail crossing in Oxnard, Calif. Train 102 was led by a Hyundai-Rotem cab car. The accident is still under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and all questions relating to the accident need to be directed to NTSB personnel.