Noteworthy Rail Accidents

Travel by rail in the United States is one of the safest modes of transportation available. On the rare occasion that major accidents do occur, they represent an opportunity for railroads to learn what has happened and what needs to be done to prevent reoccurrence. This paper provides several, detailed case studies of noteworthy passenger and rail transit accidents that have occurred in the United States, from the 1960s to the present. It discusses the outcome of these accidents, including changes that were implemented due to lessons learned. It also discusses unique and/or noteworthy aspects of each accident.