NTSB Advisory
National Transportation Safety Board
Washington, DC 20594
June 30, 2006

TRAIN COLLISION NEAR MACDONA, TEXAS SUBJECT OF PUBLIC MEETING

Rail Accident Report - On June 28, 2004 two trains, a westbound Union Pacific and an eastbound BNSF Railway Company train traveling on the same main line track collided near Macdona, Texas. The collision derailed the four locomotive units and the first 19 cars of the UP train as well as 17 cars on the BNSF train.

As a result of the derailment, the 16th car in the UP train, carrying liquefied chlorine was punctured and cloud of chlorine gas engulfed the area. Three people died as a result of chlorine gas inhalation

Safety issues considered in the accident report include, train crew fatigue and the vulnerability of railroad tank cars carrying hazardous materials.

The public may view the meeting via a live or archived webcast by accessing a link under "News & Events" on the NTSB home page at www.ntsb.gov.

Directions to the Board Room: Front Door located on Lower 10th Street, directly below L'Enfant Plaza. From Metro, exit L'Enfant Plaza station at 9th and D streets escalator, walk through shopping mall, at CVS store take escalator down one level. Board Room will be to your left.

Media Contact: Lauren Peduzzi, peduzzi@ntsb.gov
(202) 314-6100