Rail Safety Training Drill Scheduled for Saturday, October 10, in East Lyme

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is announcing that a rail safety training drill will occur on Saturday, October 10, 2026, between 9 a.m. and noon in East Lyme. This exercise will test the emergency response for train crews, dispatchers, and first responders called to handle a passenger train emergency. There will be no impact on Shore Line East passengers.

The training drill will consist of calls to on-duty first responders dispatched to the scene and radio communication between all participants. The training will take place along the freight tracks off the main Shore Line East corridor in East Lyme. The emergency response drill is being held in partnership with emergency management services in East Lyme, Old Lyme, and Waterford; Amtrak; local law enforcement; and CTDOT as part of ongoing training to ensure the highest level of safety along Shore Line East.

The routine drill is required by the Federal Railroad Administration and is a component of safety training at CTDOT. It is designed to reinforce and fine-tune emergency response protocols of train crews, dispatchers, first responders, and others, as well as the coordination and real-life application of communication and incident command protocols. After the simulation concludes, participants will meet to share their observations and discuss insights learned from the exercise.

"This exercise is an important part of continuous training that train crews and first responders undertake to be prepared for any emergency," said Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto. "While the public may hear or see emergency response efforts, please know this is just a simulation. We are alerting the public ahead of time to prevent concern or worry."

CTDOT asks the media and members of the public not to attend the training exercise, as first responders, volunteers, train personnel, and participants must fully focus on the drill.