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MBTA: Heat-sensitive tape could help prevent derailments

BOSTON — The MBTA is taking steps to prevent Commuter Rail derailments after three trains went off the tracks in the last six months.

On Monday, officials said the derailments on Nov. 27 and April 2 were caused by overheated train axels.

According to the MBTA, the axels broke and caused trains on the Fitchburg and Rockport lines to jump the tracks.

The T says it hopes to prevent this problem by putting heat sensitive tape on Commuter Rail cars. The tape changes color when hot so inspectors can spot problems faster.

The T says a derailment two weeks ago near South Station was caused by human error. Two trains collided April 9 when a conductor misread a signal.