The first participants of Metrolink’s “Skills Day” training – with many more development opportunities to come!
Safety is at the core of everything we do at Metrolink and continues to guide our operations in 2025. From hands-on training that sharpens our team’s expertise to essential maintenance that keeps our infrastructure in top shape, we are always working to enhance the safety and reliability of our system.
Skills Day
In January, Metrolink’s track and signal department launched its first-ever “Skills Day,” providing a dedicated and safe environment for frontline personnel to develop and refine their knowledge and abilities through hands-on training. Two days of specialized sessions focused on the proper operation of various pieces of Metrolink equipment, including bucket trucks, material handling trucks, backhoes and various hand tools. These events are designed to enhance proficiency and confidence among team members by offering practical experience in a controlled setting.
An additional Skills Day took place in February, building on the momentum and impact of this valuable initiative. The operations team is exploring transitioning these sessions into a more established program that provides regular investment in skills development and mentorship, while increasing training opportunities systemwide. By fostering a culture of learning, we are empowering our team members with critical tools and resources to meet the challenges of our rail system safely and efficiently.
Track maintenance personnel cleaned 200 feet of ballast, which will lead to a more comfortable Ventura County Line ride for Metrolink customers.
Tunnel Cleaning in Ventura County
During a planned work window on Saturday, Jan. 11, in which Ventura County Line trains were not running, track maintenance crews undertook a significant ballast cleaning operation in Tunnel 26 located between the Chatsworth and Simi Valley stations. As the longest tunnel on Metrolink’s system, spanning 1.4 miles, Tunnel 26 faces ongoing drainage issues that create a muddy environment.
To address this, track personnel used a vacuum truck equipped with hi-rails – special steel wheels that allow the vehicle to operate on railroad tracks – to remove saturated, muddy ballast from the tunnel. Workers then installed clean ballast to stabilize the track and ensure safe train operations.
Routine ballast cleaning is essential to maintaining optimal track performance. Another round is planned for next month to further improve conditions and long-term reliability.