Positive Train Control Testing Planned In North Bay

NORTH BAY, CA – Freight operator Northwestern Pacific Railroad Company is slated to begin testing its Positive Train Control system Thursday. The PTC testing is necessary to meet Federal Railroad Administration requirements.

Northwestern Pacific Railroad Company, which operates on portions of track owned by Sonoma-
Marin Area Rail Transit, will conduct testing in the Novato, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa and Windsor areas during overnight hours. All freight testing will be conducted when SMART trains are not operating.

The freight operator will begin the first phase of testing between Hanna Ranch Road in Novato and SMART’s Haystack Bridge in Petaluma. During this phase, the use of train horns will be required at all crossings that are not a part of established quiet zones, including crossings north of Rush Creek Place in Novato, through the Haystack Bridge in Petaluma, according to SMART.

The first phase of freight PTC testing will take place from 9:30 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and from 9:30 p.m. and 9 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, through mid-April, depending on test results. Testing will then continue north to Petaluma, Cotati, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa and portions of Windsor.

Northwestern Pacific Railroad Company estimates that it will take up to six months to complete the PTC testing.

For more information on the freight testing schedule, visit www.SonomaMarinTrain.org.

Photo by Al Francis/NapaSonomaPhotos.com