2007 – Page 25 – Railfanning.org

FRA Issues Safety Advisory for Rail Yard Safety

January 19, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — As a result of a fatal Dec. 14 rail yard switching accident in Manlius, N.Y., the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has issued a Safety Advisory recommending that railroads assess their existing rules addressing safety at yard grade crossings. The agency also urges railroads to review, or as necessary, amend their rules governing yard movements to clarify what actions employees must take under various circumstances to fully adhere to operating procedures. In the December accident, a worker backing a pickup truck over a yard grade crossing was struck by rail cars being moved by a remote control locomotive. The

Development of New Federal Design Standards for Hazardous Materials Tank Cars to Benefit from Public-Private Partnership

January 18, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — In a move designed to aid in the development of new federal design standards for stronger and safer hazardous materials tank cars, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is joining forces with rail and chemical industry leaders to create the tank car of the future, FRA Administrator Joseph H. Boardman announced. “Our goal is to jump beyond incremental design changes,” Boardman said. “We and our partners are looking to apply the latest research and advanced technology to provide increased safety for rail shipments posing the greatest safety risk.” Boardman also said the FRA is considering issuing new, more robust

Kentucky Guard Unit Checks Air Quality at Derailment Site

January 17, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

A special team of National Guardsmen is conducting an environmental survey at the site of a CSX train derailment in Brooks, Ky. The derailment occurred south of Louisville, spilling a flammable liquid that ignited and caused a fire along the track and among the tanker cars, according to a report from the National Guard Bureau’s joint operations center in Washington. Fifteen members of the Kentucky National Guards’ 41st Civil Support Team (Weapons of Mass Destruction) have been deployed to the derailment site to assist local emergency responders, a Kentucky National Guard official said. “They’re assisting the fire chief from Bullitt

Fire Erupts After Ky. Derailment

January 16, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

BROOKS, Ky. — For the second time in two days, fire erupted after a CSX train derailment. Cyclohexane, methyl ethyl ketone, butadiene and alcohol were released following the derailment of 12 cars, according to published reports. No one was injured in the derailment, but several people did go to area hospitals, though they were soon released. A portion of Interstate 65 was closed because of the derailment. Footage of the derailment showed large flames and thick black smoke. A day earlier in Irvine, Ky., fire erupted after butyl acetate leaked from a crashed tank car. The leak and fire came

Teamsters: MBTA Has Poor Safety Record

January 15, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

WOBURN, Mass. – Following the Jan. 9 deaths of two workers on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, the Teamsters voiced their disappointment to what they say is a poor safety record on the railroad. “Per mile of railroad operated, MBCR has one of the worst roadway worker safety records of any railroad in the country,” said Rick Inclima, Director of Safety for BMWED. “There have been four BMWED roadway worker fatalities on the MBCR since December 6, 2003, yet the railroad has not taken significant steps to improve roadway worker safety. MBCR management still refuses to even fill the vacant

Service Alert: Missouri Mules Service Restored between St. Louis and Kansas City

January 15, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

Union Pacific Railroad has informed Amtrak the route used by the Missouri Mules passenger trains between St. Louis and Kansas City has reopened, following a weekend closure due to ice storms and resulting debris blocking the tracks. Therefore, service by Train 313, the afternoon westbound train from St. Louis, and Train 316, the afternoon eastbound train from Kansas City, resumes this afternoon. Also service by Train 311, the morning westbound train from St. Louis, and Train 314, the morning eastbound train from Kansas City, resumes on Tuesday, January 16. This information is correct as of the above time and date

Fire Breaks Out After Derailment

January 15, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

IRVINE, Ky. — Fire erupted after butyl acetate leaked from a crashed tank car, authorities said. The leak and fire came after four runaway cars struck a pair of locomotives. Some evacuations were ordered after the crash, according to media reports. No injures were reported as a result of the derailment. CSX parked the two locomotives in the path of the runaway cars in an attempt to stop them, The Associated Press reported.

Service Alert: Missouri Mules Disrupted by Railroad Closure between St. Louis and Kansas City

January 13, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

Union Pacific Railroad has informed Amtrak of several blockages on the route used by the Missouri Mules passenger trains between St. Louis and Kansas City. The railroad could not provide an estimate of when the tracks will be cleared of trees and other debris caused by freezing rain and ice. In addition, more than a dozen freight trains were halted on the route between St. Louis and Jefferson City. Therefore, the westbound trains from St. Louis, Trains 311 & 313, and the eastbound trains from Kansas City, Trains 314 & 316, have been cancelled for today. No alternate transportation is

Dispatcher Focus of MBTA Probe

January 13, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

WOBURN, Mass. — Federal investigators looking into a fatal wreck on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority are focusing their atention on a train dispatcher, according to The Associated Press. Two workers were killed Tuesday when an MBTA commuter train struck a piece of track equipment. As part of their investigation, agents are looking at conversations the dispatcher had with the workers, according to The Associated Press. The train was traveling 60 mph and was heading from Lowell to Boston when it struck a “speed swing” near the commuter rail station in Woburn killing the workers. A dozen other people, including

Investigation Into WMATA Wreck Continues

January 12, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – The National Transportation Safety Board is continuing to investigate the Jan. 7 derailment of a Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) rail car near the Mount Vernon Square station on the Green Line. The investigation team is completing documenting and measuring track structures near the crossover where the derailment occurred. Survey of the accident scene is in progress. The team is in the process of reviewing historical data and inspection records for that area of track. Twenty people were injured following the derailment. The derailed car, the fifth in consist, has been moved to the Branch Avenue Maintenance