Freight trains
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PublishedJune 27, 2023
States clamp down on freight trains, fearing derailments and federal gridlock
Legislatures want to bolster trackside detectors used to identify equipment problems and require more notice to emergency responders about hazardous cargo.
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PublishedJune 21, 2023
Railroads must alert first responders within 10 miles of derailed cargo train under new rule
The rule would force all railroads to send out information to all nearby emergency services anytime there is a derailment or hazardous chemical release, instead of expecting arriving firefighters to look up the details on an app.
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PublishedApril 15, 2023
Train carrying hazardous chemicals derails north of Rockwood
A photo of the train derailment posted on Facebook by Rockwood Fire & Rescue shows a fiery scene near a curve on the railroad track, with several cars off the track.
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PublishedMarch 6, 2023
Norfolk Southern announces safety upgrades after derailments
The announcement comes the same day Pennsylvania's governor announced that the company had agreed to pay several million dollars to cover the cost of the response and recovery in that state.
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PublishedFebruary 26, 2023
What’s inside Maine freight trains? Public can only hazard a guess
An exception to the state's public records law prevents Mainers from knowing what toxic chemicals might be rumbling through cities and towns.
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PublishedFebruary 21, 2023
Federal EPA to take over cleanup of toxic Ohio derailment disaster
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said his department would begin inspecting train routes used for freighting hazardous materials and called for the rail industry to implement new safety measures.
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PublishedFebruary 6, 2023
Crews release toxic chemicals from derailed tankers in Ohio
Officials warned the controlled burn would send toxic chemicals into the air.
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PublishedJanuary 26, 2023
From the Business Desk: Working on the railroad, all the live-long day
Freight trains are plying Maine's rail system in larger numbers and sizes, and the state has a new plan to make sure we have adequate tracks and infrastructure. Let's hope it's enough.