NJ Train Conductor Causes Major Delays After Missing Stop
BY STEPHANIE BARISH wpix.com

5:19 p.m. EST, November 10, 2009
WEST WINDSOR, N.J. (WPIX)—
A veteran New Jersey Transit engineer inadvertently caused major problems for some 500 riders traveling on a train headed toward Trenton, after he zipped past a key station.

The rail company said Train 3971, heading from Penn Station to Trenton Monday evening, skipped past its scheduled 7 p.m stop at Princeton Junction and didn't stop until the next station in Hamilton Township - nearly 10 miles away.

Officials say the engineer, who has been with NJ Transit for 30 years, likely missed the stop because it was his first day and his previous assignment did not include stops in Princeton Junction, Hamilton or Trenton.

As a result of the major mishap, 500 passengers on the Northeast Corridor were forced to wait for the next northbound train and ultimately arrived to Princeton Junction at 8 p.m.

Spokeswoman Courtney Carroll says there was never a safety risk and said the engineer may face disciplinary action.

"Obviously this was quite an inconvenience for these customers, and we do apologize for that," Carroll said.