Calif.'s Metrolink's PTC now interoperable with freight operator

Calif.’s Metrolink, the first passenger railroad in the nation to operate Positive Train Control (PTC), has now taken its commitment to safety a step further by announcing interoperability with Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR). Metrolink can now use its PTC technology on tracks owned by UPRR on the Ventura County Line north of the Moorpark station and the Riverside Line.

UPRR will operate PTC throughout tracks owned by Metrolink on the Ventura County Line south of the Moorpark station and the Antelope Valley Line.

“With this development, Metrolink, as a leader in safety, has significantly expanded Positive Train Control across its network of shared track,” said Metrolink Board Chair Andrew Kotyuk. “The Southern California rail system is safer because both Metrolink and Union Pacific Railroad will be able to operate in Southern California with life-saving PTC technology.”

In June 2015, Metrolink launched PTC in Revenue Service Demonstration (RSD) across the entire 341-mile network the agency owns. With this accomplishment, Metrolink became the first railroad in the nation to have PTC running during regular service on all of its hosted lines. In October 2017, Metrolink achieved PTC interoperability with Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) and is now the first commuter railroad in the nation to achieve interoperable PTC with both BNSF and UPRR.

Metrolink is coordinating with its remaining operating partners, Amtrak and North County Transit District to achieve interoperability this year across all shared tracks in the Southern California region.