Metrolink, UP mark PTC interoperability achievement

Metrolink yesterday announced its positive train control (PTC) system has reached interoperability with Union Pacific Railroad.

The agency now can use its PTC system on tracks owned by UP on the Ventura County Line north of Moorpark station and the Riverside Line. The Class I will operate PTC on tracks owned by Metrolink on the Ventura County Line south of Moorpark station and the Antelope Valley Line.

"With this development, [we have] significantly expanded PTC across [our] network of shared track," said Metrolink Chair Andrew Kotyuk in a press release.

In June 2015, Metrolink launched PTC in revenue service demonstration across its entire 341-mile network, becoming the first U.S. passenger railroad to operate such a system during regular service on all its hosted lines. Since it achieved interoperability with BNSF Railway Co. in October 2017, it’s now the first U.S. commuter railroad to attain interoperability with both BNSF and UP, Metrolink officials said.

The successful interoperability efforts with Metrolink trains in southern California are a major step in enhancing safe operations between freight and passenger railroads, said Lupe Valdez, UP's public affairs director in southern California.

"It will be important that all railroads continue working together to ensure smooth and safe transitions as PTC is implemented,” he said.
 
Metrolink is coordinating with its remaining operating partners — Amtrak and North County Transit District — to achieve interoperability this year across all shared tracks in the region.