Train Speeds Increase in Clayton

RALEIGH—Motorists will notice that trains are traveling a bit faster through Clayton beginning this Friday, February 24. With work completed by the N.C. Department of Transportation, North Carolina Railroad Co. and Norfolk Southern to improve safety and upgrade the existing rail corridor, passenger trains traveling through Clayton will increase from 49 miles per hour to 59 mph.

The new speed is consistent with passenger train speeds east and west of the Smith Street curve throughout the town. Freight train speeds will remain at 49 mph.

“The work our engineers have performed ensures that passenger trains can safely increase their speeds," said Paul Worley, NCDOT Rail Division’s assistant director for Engineering and Safety.

In 2002, NCDOT and the town of Clayton evaluated nine public at-grade crossings between Shotwell Road and N.C. 42. Based on the recommendations of a traffic separation study, work began at that time to enhance several crossings and close others – including the Smith Street crossing – to improve safety for motorists, rail passengers and train crews. Twelve trains travel daily through Clayton – eight Norfolk Southern freight trains and four Amtrak passenger trains.

NCDOT continues to invest in track and signal improvements to increase the efficiency and capacity for both passenger and freight trains along the North Carolina Railroad. The NCDOT Rail Division offers the following safety reminders for motorists at railroad crossings:

• Do not drive around the crossing gates if they have been lowered.
• It takes 1 to 1.5 miles for a train to come to a stop after the brakes are applied.
• If your car stalls on the tracks, get out, move off the tracks and call the police or local emergency officials

Residents can learn more about the rail improvements being made in Clayton by visiting: http://www.bytrain.org/safety/tss/clayton/.