WASHINGTON — A collision between NJ Transit trains occurred on a sharp curve with limited visibility after both trains had been rerouted to avoid downed trees from a storm, according to the National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report on the Dec. 19, 2025, incident in Montclair, N.J.
The collision occurred about 6:47 p.m. on the Montclair-Boonton Line near Bay Street Station, with eastbound train No. 1079 striking train No. 1055, which was stopped waiting for a train to depart the station. Three cars from the striking train and one from the standing train derailed. Six crew members, three from each train, were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. All 11 passengers on train No. 1055 declined treatment; there were no passengers on train No. 1079.
Both trains had been operating westbound on Track 1. Because of the downed trees from the earlier storm, they were turned back and were heading east on Track 2. The collision occurred on a sharp right-hand turn on a downhill grade with about 126 feet of limited sight distance before the stopped train could first be seen. The striking train, No. 1079, was operating on a stop-and-proceed signal indication that required movement at restricted speed; it was traveling at 17 mph when the collision occurred.
NTSB investigators on scene inspected the track, signals, and equipment, and performed sight-distance observations. They also reviewed event and image recorder data, conducted interviews, and requested documents including dispatcher radio and telephone recordings. The preliminary report says the ongoing investigation will focus on NJT internal oversight, operational procedures, and positive train control functionality on trains operating at restricted speed.
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