The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has fined CSX Transportation (CSX) $227,000 for failure of a highway-rail grade crossing warning system to activate in advance of approaching trains in Fonda, New York.

The assessed civil penalties result from a federal investigation into a February 11, 2005, fatal train-vehicle collision. FRA is assessing the statutory maximum of $27,000 for interference with the normal functioning of a grade crossing warning system that resulted in an activation failure, plus $5,000 for each of 30 counts for not reporting the activation failure within the required 15-day period. An additional $5,000 for each of 10 counts is being assessed for previous events of interference with the normal functioning of a grade crossing warning system that resulted in a false activation at the same crossing.

As required by federal rail safety laws, CSX will have an opportunity to respond to the notices of violation and present any defenses and mitigating factors that may lead to a settlement agreement.