Federal Railroad Administration News

Norfolk Southern CEO Promises to Keep Improving Safety Based on Consultant’s Report

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Norfolk Southern`s CEO pledged to continue working to improve safety after consultant the railroad hired following the fiery Ohio derailment recommended making sure that safety is truly a priority at all levels and continuing many efforts …

US to Conduct Safety Review of All Major Railroads

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration will conduct safety assessments of all major U.S. railroads following the Feb. 3 derailment of a Norfolk Southern NSC.N operated train in Ohio, according to a letter seen by Reuters on Tuesday. The Federal Railroad …

Regulators Say Railroads Must Examine How They Build Trains

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Federal regulators said Friday that railroads need to re- examine how they assemble their trains after a string of derailments in recent years that were at least partly caused by the way empty and loaded cars …

Two Train Derailments Have Similar Risks, Different Outcomes

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Police Chief Jason Wright feared the worst as he rushed to the scene of a freight train derailment in Michigan’s Van Buren Township, mindful of a fiery rail crash this month in Ohio that led …

Florida Passenger Train Line Kills 5th Person in a Month

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) –A Brightline higher-speed train fatally struck a pedestrian who walked into its path Tuesday, the fifth death involving the railroad since it recently resumed operations after being shutdown because of the pandemic. Boynton Beach police said …

US Rail Industry Defends Safety Record Amid Staffing Cuts

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Even as railroads are operating longer and longer freight trains that sometimes stretch for miles, the companies have drastically reduced staffing levels, prompting unions to warn that moves meant to increase profits could endanger safety and …

Phoenix Rail Crossing May Close if Needed Safeguards Aren’t Installed

A Phoenix, Ariz., railroad crossing over a busy road will be shut down if the city doesn’t install long overdue safety enhancements, state regulators said. The Arizona Corporation Commission, which oversees railroad safety, announced the unanimous vote for the closure …

Rail Companies That Violate Hazmat Safety Violations Should Face Prosecution

Federal regulators are failing to refer serious safety violations involving freight rail shipments of crude oil and other hazardous cargo for criminal prosecution, and are going lightly on civil fines, according to a report released Friday by a government watchdog. …

Most Railroads Won’t Make Safety Technology Deadline Set by Congress

Only a small number of U.S. railroads will meet the Dec. 31 deadline for implementing new train safety technology that experts say would have prevented the deadly May 12 Amtrak derailment in Philadelphia, officials said on Friday. A report to …

Railroad Regulator Plans to Enforce Dec. 31 Safety Deadline

The nation’s top railroad regulator said Wednesday she will enforce a Dec. 31 deadline for commuter and freight railroads to install safety technology that experts say could have prevented a deadly Amtrak derailment last month. Sarah Feinberg, acting chief of …