This information is preliminary and subject to change.

​On December 19, 2025, about 6:47 p.m., eastbound New Jersey Transit (NJT) commuter train 1079 (striking train) collided with stopped NJT commuter train 1055 (struck train), and both trains derailed on track 2 on the Montclair-Boonton Line in Montclair, New Jersey.[1] All three crew members onboard the stopped train and all three crew members from the striking train were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. All 11 passengers on the struck train declined medical transport. There were no passengers onboard the striking train. NJT estimated damages to equipment and track to be about $180,000. Visibility conditions at the time of the accident were dark and clear, with no precipitation; the temperature was 36°F.

​Before the accident, both trains were westbound traveling on track 1, but due to downed trees blocking the track, a result of a storm earlier that evening, NJT rerouted the trains, having them turn back east and operate on track 2. The struck train was stopped on track 2 waiting for a train ahead to depart Bay Street Station. The collision occurred in a sharp right-hand curve on a downhill grade with about 126 feet of limited sight distance when the standing train could first be seen.

The striking train consisted of one cab car, four passenger cars, and one pushing locomotive.[2] The crew consisted of one conductor, one engineer and one brakeman. The struck train consisted of one cab car, two passenger cars and one pushing locomotive. The crew consisted of one conductor, one engineer and one brakeman. There were 11 passengers onboard the struck train. ​

At the time of the collision, the striking train was operating on a stop and proceed signal indication that required movement under restricted-speed rules.[3] The striking train collided with the stopped train at 17 mph; three cars from the striking train derailed and one car from the struck train derailed.

​While on scene, National Transportation Safety Board investigators inspected the track, signals and equipment; performed sight-distance observations using exemplar trains; reviewed event recorder data from the striking train; and the inward - and outward-facing image recorder for both trains; requested documents including the NJT dispatcher radio and telephone recordings; and completed interviews.

The investigation is ongoing. Future investigative activity will focus on NJT’s internal oversight, operational procedure and Positive Train Control functionality on trains operating at restricted speed.

Parties to the investigation include: 

• the Federal Railroad Administration; 
• New Jersey Transit; 
• the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers; and 
• the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen.​​​​​​