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Yesterday, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced it fined CSX Transportation $227,000 because the agency determined a grade crossing warning system failed to activate in Fonda, N.Y., causing a fatal train-vehicle collision.

On Feb. 11, 2005, an eastbound CSXT train stopped short of a multiple-track crossing, but activated warning lights and gates. A conductor used a manual control box to lift the gates and allow highway traffic to cross the tracks. However, the device was “used improperly” and prevented a westbound CSXT train from activating the warning system to alert motorists of its approach, the FRA said. The westbound train struck an automobile and killed its 38-year old female driver.

The FRA is assessing the statutory maximum fine of $27,000 for the warning system failure, plus a total of $150,000 for 30 counts (at $5,000 each) of not reporting the activation failure within the required 15-day period and $50,000 for 10 counts (at $5,000 each) of “interference with the normal functioning of a grade crossing warning system that resulted in a false activation at the same crossing,” the administration said.

“Railroads have a duty to ensure that grade crossing active warning devices, including flashing lights and gates, work properly and to make timely reports when they fail,” said Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph Boardman in a prepared statement.

A year ago, the FRA fined CSXT $298,000 for multiple crossing safety regulation violations tied to a Feb. 3, 2004, train-vehicle accident in Henrietta, N.Y., that killed an elderly couple.