Union Pacific Changing Signal Warning Times At Site Of Midland Train Tragedy
By: Dylan Brooks
Updated: December 21, 2012
MIDLAND -- Union Pacific railroad is making changes to the Midland railroad crossing where last month's deadly train tragedy took place.
A spokesperson for the railroad said that Union Pacific would improve the buffer time between when lights and gates at the Garfield Street railroad crossing activate and when trains pass through the crossing.
The announcement comes after lawyers representing victims of the tragedy announced that TXDOT signal plans for the Garfield Street railroad crossing called for a 30 second warning time.
Lawyers said that Union Pacific installed signals with a 25 second warning time, but issues with nearby signal circuits dropped the warning time to 20 seconds (which is the federal minimum standard).
Four military veterans were killed and 17 other people were injured when a train plowed into a parade float on November 15th.
A spokesperson for the railroad said that Union Pacific would improve the buffer time between when lights and gates at the Garfield Street railroad crossing activate and when trains pass through the crossing.
The announcement comes after lawyers representing victims of the tragedy announced that TXDOT signal plans for the Garfield Street railroad crossing called for a 30 second warning time.
Lawyers said that Union Pacific installed signals with a 25 second warning time, but issues with nearby signal circuits dropped the warning time to 20 seconds (which is the federal minimum standard).
Four military veterans were killed and 17 other people were injured when a train plowed into a parade float on November 15th.
