BEVERLY, Mass. — A Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority commuter train suffered what the agency called a “low-speed upright derailment” on Wednesday afternoon, leading to delays during the Wednesday evening and Thursday morning rush hours.
The Boston Globe reports 10 passengers were on board the inbound train when it derailed about 4 p.m. near the Beverly station. Video from NBC Boston suggests one truck of one coach derailed at a switch. No injuries were reported. The cause is under investigation.
WFXT-TV reports a Thursday statement from Keolis Boston, contract operator of the MBTA commuter trains, said a switch at the derailment scene had been damaged and is being replaced, and that passengers on the Newburyport and Rockport lines could expect “significant delays and cancellations” until that work is complete.
The derailment came a week after a collision of two Green Line trolleys, injuring four operators. A federal review is currently under way to look at MBTA safety issues, including the death of a passenger in April [see “NTSB report: Door-system failure led to death ..,” Trains News Wire, May 3, 2022].
— Updated at 8:48 a.m. CDT with information on switch damage, continuing delays.
How long does it take to replace a turnout?
Depends. Are parts readily available? Straight line the turnout or make it fully operable? Labor available?
MBTA management must be thinking that they will not get to another agency. OR: As the beat goes on!