Photo: Christopher Gregory/2013 Getty Images
In the first investigation of its kind into a passenger railroad, the Federal Railroad Administration is planning to take an especially close look at Metro-North’s operations and its “safety culture” after months of mishaps culminated in the recent derailment that killed four in the Bronx. With 50 investigators working for an expected 60 days, Operation Deep Dive, as they’re calling it, will examine all 750 miles of Metro-North track, as well as the railroad’s rolling stock, signals, communications, training, medical requirements, and of course safety procedures. The MTA, which operates Metro-North, said it had been conducting its own safety review since the spring. Obviously, the feds think it needs a little help.
