“Residents Warned” Another Train Derails Carrying Hazardous Materials. Whats Happening?

Another week, another train derailment. This time, it was a Canadian Pacific train that derailed and caught fire in Maine. The incident, which took place in a wooded area, caused a small forest fire. Fortunately, there were no injuries, and the hazardous materials onboard did not pose a risk to public safety.


This is not an isolated incident. Train derailments have been on the rise in the US, occurring in states such as Ohio, Alabama, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania. In response, Congress and federal regulators are calling for more action to prevent these types of incidents, which appear to be increasing.


What’s Causing the Derailments? In the case of the Maine derailment, reports indicate that it may have been caused by a track washout due to a build-up of melting ice and debris. However, the causes of other derailments remain unclear.

Some speculate that train companies are practicing what’s called precision scheduled railroading, which involves cutting back on maintenance and redirecting funds to shareholders. This could be putting more strain on the railways, leading to an increase in accidents.


What is Being Done About It? In response to the recent incidents, rail companies and regulators are taking action to improve safety measures. The new joint company between Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern aims to be the first and only single-line railway connecting Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The companies have also committed to investing in their infrastructure and technology to improve safety.

Meanwhile, federal regulators are working to enforce existing regulations and implement new ones. The Federal Railroad Administration has recently proposed new regulations on train speed limits and crew size. These regulations aim to reduce the risk of accidents and improve response times in the event of an incident.