Railroad Special Investigation Report
Derailment of Amtrak Train No. 12 and
Sideswipe of Amtrak Train No. 79 on Portal
Bridge Near Secaucus, New Jersey,
November 23, 1996

NTSB Number SIR-97/01
NTIS Number PB97-917002
PDF Document (867K)

Abstract: On November 23, 1996, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) train No. 12 derailed while crossing Portal Bridge, a swing bridge spanning the Hackensack River in Secaucus, New Jersey. When the train derailed, it sideswiped Amtrak train No. 79, which was crossing the bridge in the opposite direction on an adjacent track. No fatalities resulted, but 42 passengers and crewmembers aboard train No. 12 were injured, as was 1 passenger aboard train No. 79. Estimated cost of the damaged train, track, and signal equipment and site cleanup exceeded $3.6 million.

The safety issues discussed in this report are (1) Amtrak management oversight of the inspection, maintenance, and repair of the miter rail assemblies on Portal Bridge; and (2) the effectiveness of Amtrak’s emergency notification procedures. The report also examines the effectiveness of Amtrak locomotive event recorders in capturing critical operational data.

As a result of its investigation, the National Transportation Safety Board issued safety recommendations to Amtrak, the Federal Railroad Administration, the Association of American Railroads, and the American Short Line Railroad Association.