NTSB reports early findings in fatal UP train derailment in Texas

The National Transportation Safety Board released preliminary information on its investigation into a Dec. 18 derailment of a Union Pacific Railroad train in Pecos, Texas. The train's conductor and engineer died as a result of the incident, in which the train collided with a truck stopped on the track at a grade crossing.

The accident occurred when the northbound truck tractor-lowboy trailer combination, operated by Boss Heavy Haul LLC, tried to cross the track at a crossing located at U.S. 285 and Cedar Street in Pecos. The truck, which was hauling heavy equipment, was unable to proceed through the intersection for reasons under investigation, according to the NTSB's report.

The crossing's warning devices activated and the gate struck the truck as the gate attempted to lower into position. The westbound train collided with the trailer. The heavy equipment struck a nearby building, causing significant damage. The train derailed upon impact, resulting in the derailment of all four head-end locomotives and 25 intermodal wells.

The speed limit in that section of track was 70 mph; preliminary data show the train traveling around 68 mph before the crew applied emergency braking prior to impact.

The NTSB determined that the truck was on the track for just over a minute before it was struck by the train. The head-end locomotive event data recorder was removed from the wreckage and is being transported to the NTSB materials laboratory in Washington, D.C. Investigators have surveillance video but have asked eyewitnesses and anyone with video of the crash to contact the NTSB at witness@ntsb.gov.

The investigation will focus on survival factors, crashworthiness and emergency response. The determination of probable cause, contributing factors and findings will be published in a final report at the conclusion of the investigation, which is expected to last 12-24 months. The NTSB accident number for the case is RRD25FR005.