US Issues Railroad Safety Order After Deadly Crash.

[elleng]

Source: nyt/ap

In the wake of a deadly train accident in Canada, the U.S. Federal Railroad Administration has issued a series of measures to be undertaken by all railroads to help prevent trains operating on mainline tracks or sidings from moving unintentionally.

The half-dozen measures in the emergency order take particular aim at trains that move hazardous materials such as crude oil and ethanol. All railroads must undertake the measures within the next 30 days, the FRA said in a statement Friday night.


Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2013/08/02/us/politics/ap-us-railroad-safety.html?hp

[TheCowsCameHome]

1. Interesting, especially this one

"Under one of the FRA orders announced Friday, no train or vehicles transporting specified hazardous materials can be left unattended on a mainline track or side track outside a yard or terminal, unless specifically authorized"

This will be troublesome for the carriers.

[elleng]

2. Mebbe,

but 'outside a yard or terminal, unless specifically authorized" likely to receive specific authorization regularly, imo. They'll have to pay attention to this, and can surely do so.

[valerief]

3. Regulations???!!!! Takin' away freedumbs!!!! nt

[elleng]

4. There's been transportation safety regulation for a long time, (also motor carrier, but fewer now,)

and rrs know they have to comply. Of course, they're involved in crafting the safety regs they'll be subject to.

[Amonester]

5. They did more or less the same in Canada, but...

47 human beings had to die first.

47 more victims of unregulated capitalism, and this is a good system???

47 burned alive.

5 victims vaporized completely. So completely they can't find a single DNA trace of 'em.

[ConcernedCanuk]

6. Friggen smokescreen

.
.
.

Safety rules were already in place

Maintenance standards were all in place

Employees AT THE DIRECTION OF THEIR SUPERVISORS constantly skirt these rules.

I worked for CP Rail in Canada for years - I saw this numerous times - in fact,

I got harassed by CP Rail supervisors for trying to make the Railway adhere to their own rules!

No use making rules/regulations if the supervisors ignore them - they do, and will continue to do so.

I worked on the machines that maintained the tracks, in the shops in the winter, and out on the gangs in the summer.

I know railway mentality - and the push is on everyone from the top down to keep the trains moving

REGARDLESS OF SAFETY.



CC

[elleng]

14. RRs have to feel it in their bottom line;

'owners' have to recognize and demand accountability. Not holding my breath.

[davidpdx]

7. About a decade ago I belonged to a Lion's Club in the US

and one of the other members was an engineer for a railroad company. I remember him telling the group that the companies were moving toward having the trains driven by remote (even the ones carrying dangerous materials). I've been outside the US since then, so I have no idea whether this ended up happening or not.

Recently I saw the movie Unstoppable with Denzel Washington and that was suppose to be a dramatization of a real story that happened.

[love_katz]

8. There are trains that operate without any human at the controls...

right here in PDX.

I have seen the signs at the crossings, warning people of this fact. No Human Person at the Controls!

[davidpdx]

9. That's scary

I knew it was possible, just never heard whether they actually went through with it. If you have time and can post a picture that would be good for people to see that it is happening.

[love_katz]

10. I don't have a camera.

But, I have seen the signs at crossings on the east side of the Willamette. Places that come to mind are the crossings on S.E. 11th and S.E. 12the avenues, and also the crossings accessed after getting off of I-5 at the Eastside Industrial Area exit ( used to be called Water avenue).

[davidpdx]

11. Ah, I know exactly what intersection you are talking about

Been through that one quite a few times, but I don't remember when the last time was. Next time I'm in Portland I'll take that exit intentionally to look for the sign. I might be there next year if I can afford to fly back to visit.

Oh and welcome to DU!

[theHandpuppet]

12. But what could possibly go wrong?

[heaven05]

13. always

closing the barn door AFTER the horse got out. If we'd stop wasting money on NSA, Afghanistan, Iraq, yes Iraq, we're not really out of there, ever see that monstrous embassy we built there on the banks of the Euphrates, and be proactive on safety. Maybe, just maybe there would be less of this type thing. Ahhh, never mind I'm just being........