2013

A spat of recent train accidents, especially one derailment incident in Quebec, Canada that led to the deaths of 47 people, has led many safety advocates to call for improvements to rail cars designed to transport hazardous materials.  Now, a key federal agency has announced its intention to look into safety improvements. The proposals coming… read more

September is Rail Safety Month in California, and Amtrak, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and the California Department of Transportation are partnering to raise awareness about this important issue.  A new article takes a look at the myriad ways the agencies have worked to promote safety in the past and the present.  For… read more

In an effort to reduce instances of pedestrians being struck by trains because they’re walking on the tracks in an inappropriate manner, Caltrain will be using grant money to raise awareness about the importance of safety in this regard. The grant derives from Operation Life Saver in conjunction with the Federal Transit Administration.  Operation Life… read more

A string of train derailments has turned up the heat on proponents of a high speed rail system extending throughout California.  The most recent high-profile incident involved a Spanish train that left the tracks due to its high rate of speed.  The black box from that incident has revealed that the operator was using a… read more

Earlier this week, we related how the current administration is currently mulling the adoption of new standards to govern a type of rail car designed to transport hazardous liquids.  Although various rail industry groups are fighting the proposed safety measures, there are some lawmakers who continue to exert pressure to see the safety mandates get… read more

On the heels of a Canadian train derailment that led to the deaths of 47 people, a report has come out which looks at the fight between rail industry groups and the current administration.  The administration wants to adopt new rules that would retrofit certain railcars with safety measures that would prevent a breach in… read more

The city of Plainfield, Illinois has deemed this week Train Safety Awareness Week, and some of the information they’re providing to citizens is valuable to persons all across the country.  A new report finds the local police department detailing those situations that typically lead to a collision between a train and a motor vehicle.  Many… read more

Many people unknowingly put themselves in danger when they fail to take the proper precautions when crossing railroad tracks.  The city of Plainfield, Illinois is in the midst of Train Safety Awareness Week, and some of the tips the agency is offering would be valuable to Californians as well. Whether in a vehicle or on… read more

Whether you’re on foot or in a vehicle, it’s imperative that you acknowledge the power of a train barreling down the tracks.  Even if you think you can beat the crossing gates before they get all the way down, or you feel that an incoming train won’t reach you in time, any errant moves conducted… read more

In an age where airplanes can get people across the country in relatively little time, it’s easy to forget about the dangers posed by trains.  Railway safety tends to get short shrift in this modern day, which is why it’s great to hear about the efforts of groups like Operation Lifesaver.  A Union Pacific representative… read more

Heightened levels of a flammable and toxic substance known as vinyl chloride have led officials in Paulsboro, New Jersey to close schools for at least a day.  The elevated amounts of the chemical were the result of an incident in which seven freight cars carrying the substance were derailed, spilling upwards of 12,000 gallons into… read more

A handful of recent incidents in which either a pedestrian or a vehicle was hit by a moving train has led Minnesota’s Transportation Department to warn citizens to always use caution when in the vicinity of the tracks.  Fatality numbers are already higher than they were last year.  14 people throughout the state died in… read more