The feds need to launch a formal probe of the Long Island Rail Road to examine whether Metro-North’s disturbing safety failings have spread to its sister rail network, Sen. Charles Schumer said Tuesday.
He cited a Post article in January that detailed infractions by the railroad’s workers, such as an engineer who was suspended for playing a video game in his cab.
Another engineer blew a stop signal in the Atlantic Terminal in July 2010, and derailed the train after it ran over the wrong switch.
“The LIRR has a very good record of safety, but we need to be sure that all the best practices are being followed, and The Post’s recent report underscores them in a serious way,” said Schumer (D-NY).
The Federal Railroad Administration released a report Friday describing systemic safety problems throughout Metro-North after a deadly year of derailments, as well as a worker’s death after an error by a rail traffic controller.
“The FRA has clearly found something rotten at Metro-North and we need to make sure that rot hasn’t spread to the LIRR,” said Schumer.
Schumer also mentioned an LIRR track worker who recently survived a brush with the third rail after he fell while working on a stretch of Babylon track March 11.
The employee was treated at Good Samaritan Hospital for serious burns to his leg.
The senator also noted that before the recent accidents, Metro-North had a top-notch safety record.
“We want to catch any mistakes the LIRR is making before it is too late,” Schumer added.