Railfanning.org
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The late 1970s were a difficult time for freight railroads. It was in the years leading up to the Staggers Rail Act of 1980, and many railroads were struggling, and many were not in a state of good repair. The issue over railroad safety and repair was brought to the forefront after a June 22, 1977, Conrail derailment in Metuchen, N.J. In that wreck, 17 cars derailed and took the busy Northeast Corridor out of commission.