Train Fire Prevention with CPI AD065

Making news back in February of 2025, was a fire that broke out on a moving Rail train near Crum Lynne Station in Ridley Park, PA. The blaze, which originated in the control box of one of the railcars, forced the emergency evacuation of 350 passengers and suspension of train service between Wilmington and Newark NJ. Thankfully, swift action by the train crew and first responders prevented any fatalities or serious injuries, however, the event raised serious questions about train safety systems, especially those related to overheating and electrical component failure.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the fire began in a control box housing key electrical components responsible for monitoring and operating the train’s propulsion and braking systems. Overheating due to component failure was determined to be the root cause. Unfortunately, by the time the overheating was detected, the fire had already started, triggering a chain reaction of smoke, panic, and posing a grave danger to public safety.

It turns out that this is precisely the kind of scenario that the CPI AD065 thermal switch is designed to prevent.

A Smarter Way to Detect Heat Before It Becomes a Hazard

The CPI AD065 is a rugged, compact thermal switch engineered to detect abnormal temperature increases in sensitive equipment. With a temperature range of 0F to 350F, it is ideal for applications like control boxes on trains, buses, and other vehicles where confined electrical spaces can become fire hazards if left unmonitored. With its adjustable set points (from 0°C to 150°C) and fail-safe performance in harsh environments, the AD065 acts as an early-warning system, detecting overheating long before smoke or flame appears.

Had the CPI AD065 been installed in the control box of each train car, the scenario in February might have played out very differently. Once the temperature began to rise beyond safe operating thresholds, the AD065 could have triggered a response — shutting down the affected system, sounding an alert to the operator, and/or activating cooling or fire suppression systems. This would have allowed maintenance crews to intervene before the situation escalated into a full-blown fire.

Practical, Proven Protection

Designed and manufactured by Control Products Inc., the AD065 is widely used in industries where reliability and safety are paramount. This includes Railroad systems as well as avionics applications, engine overheat, and dozens of other applications that require a surface mount, low profile sensor. Its sealed, durable construction means it stands up to vibration, dust, and moisture — common conditions in rail environments. Moreover, it is simple to install and integrate into existing monitoring systems, making it a cost-effective upgrade for older trains and a smart addition to new builds.

CPI’s engineering team also makes custom modifications to its thermal switches to meet unique requirements. Special mounting, custom terminations, and hermetic sealing are all possible options for any application specific needs.

Looking Forward: A Call for Proactive Safety

Proactive thermal monitoring in rail systems that service the public is a huge priority for rail car manufacturers and integrators . While modern trains include many safety features, thermal runaway events in control electronics remain a known risk. Integrating a thermal switch like the CPI AD065 into each control box adds a critical layer of detection and protection.

For more information on your thermal detection needs, call CPI’s engineering team today at (973) 887-9400