Federal rule requires stronger train "black boxes"

Under a new federal rule, train "black box" event recorders will be better safegaurded to prevent the loss of data resulting from train accidents. Event recorders will be hardened to prevent loss of data from exposure to fire, impact shock, fluid immersion and other potential damage. The rule also stipulates new data required to be captured including horn activation, cruise control functions and train control operating directives sent to the engineer's onboard display. In addition, railroads will be given four years to replace older-style event recorders that use magnetic tape to store data with new electronic memory modules.