I was taking the train from Portland to Boston this morning. I noticed a sign just south of the station in Woburn saying " Remember forever January 9, 2007 ". This sign was in a rail yard, and on its own post.
The only thing I can find in a quick google is the announcement of the first iPhone.
Per the second entry on wiki under Jan 9 2007 Massachusetts, there was a collision of Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Train 322 injuring 10 and killing two.
That’s the day Steve Jobs unveiled the first iPhone. Bit of a stretch, though.
It was apparently caused by a lack of signal protection :
A conclusion has been reached by the National Transportation Safety Board in relation to the train accident that included a Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) train with a maintenance vehicle. The train accident involving the injury to railroad workers occurred in Woburn, MA on January 9, 2007.
The MBTA team that investigated the case has concluded that the dispatcher didn’t keep the proper blocking in place to provide signal protection for the area of track the maintenance crew was working upon. In addition, the railroad workers neglected to provide a shunting device to safeguard the segment of track involved. NTSB has stated that the accident could have been avoided had many of the railroad employees would have performed the important duties required of them. The adherence to simple safety precautions would have kept lives from being lost.
So certainly something to remember.
This post on the NTSB site confirms that. The crash occurred near the station the OP refers to:
http://www.ntsb.gov/news/events/Pages/Collision_of_Massachusetts_Bay_Transportation_Authority_Train_322_and_Track_Maintenance_Equipment_near_Woburn_Massachusett.aspx
On Tuesday, January 9, 2007, at 1:38 p.m., southbound Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority passenger train 322 operated by Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad struck a track maintenance vehicle that was on the track near Woburn, Massachusetts. Passenger train 322 consisted of six passenger cars, including a lead control car, and a locomotive pushing from the rear. The track maintenance vehicle was thrown forward about 210 feet; the train did not derail. Of the six maintenance-of-way employees working on or near the track maintenance vehicle, two were killed, and two were seriously injured. Emergency responders treated and released 10 passengers at the accident scene.
As a result of the accident, 160 feet of rail, 80 crossties, and 100 tons of ballast had to be replaced. The cost, including labor, was $15,841. The accident damaged the lead control car and undercarriage of the train. Repairing the train cost an estimated $450,000. The track maintenance vehicle was destroyed; replacing it cost $95,000. Total estimated property damage was $560,841.
Probable Cause
The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the January 9, 2007, collision of train 322 with a track maintenance vehicle near Woburn, Massachusetts, was the failure of the train dispatcher to maintain blocking that provided signal protection for the track segment occupied by the maintenance-of-way work crew, and the failure of the work crew to apply a shunting device that would have provided redundant signal protection for their track segment. Contributing to the accident was Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad’s failure to ensure that maintenance-of-way work crews applied shunting devices as required.
As a result of its investigation of the accident, the National Transportation Safety Board identified the following safety issues: