Railroads warned about the problems long trains can cause

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Railroads warned about the problems long trains can cause

By JOSH FUNK
April 27, 2023

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Federal regulators are warning railroads that the long trains they favor can cause all kinds of problems and contribute to derailments, so they want the railroads to ensure their training and operating procedures account for that.

The Federal Railroad Administration stopped short of recommending in its latest safety advisory issued Thursday that railroads limit the size of their trains, which can routinely stretch more than 2 miles long. However, they did suggest a number of precautions including making sure engineers know how to handle them and that locomotives don’t lose communication with devices at the end of trains that can help trigger the brakes in an emergency.

Currently, there aren’t any restrictions on train length but members of Congress and state lawmakers in at least six states have proposed establishing limits particularly in the wake of the fiery Feb. 3 Norfolk Southern derailment in Ohio. The major freight railroads have pushed back against that idea because they have increasingly come to rely on longer trains to help them move cargo with fewer crews and mechanics as they overhauled their operations over the past six years. Union Pacific CEO Lance Fritz said recently that he doesn’t think accident data shows that long trains are riskier.

-snip-

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/railroad-safety-derailments-long-trains-fra-ceaf4f56fedbdba6ce9374166b41b895

[GP6971]

1. Poorly worded title at the link.

Almost reads that the railroads gave the warning. Which I knew was ridiculous. Title should have read "railroads were warned".

[mahatmakanejeeves]

2. Federal Railroad Administration Safety Advisory 2023-03; Accident Mitigation and Train Length

Additional hat tip, Omaha Steve, who linked to the story in LBN

Safety Advisory 2023-03; Accident Mitigation and Train Length

This version of the Safety Advisory posted on FRA’s website is not intended to constitute the official published notice. This version was submitted for publication on April 27, 2023, and the official notice will be published in the Federal Register in the near future. The published version may appear slightly different than this website posting, due to formatting requirements and non-substantive editorial changes.

4910-06-P

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration Safety Advisory 2023-03;

Accident Mitigation and Train Length

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of Safety Advisory.

SUMMARY: Freight train length has increased in recent years, and while research is ongoing related to operational aspects of long trains, including brake system performance, it is known that the in-train forces longer trains experience are generally stronger and more complex than those in shorter train consists. FRA is issuing this Safety Advisory to ensure railroads and railroad employees are aware of the potential complexities associated with operating longer trains and to ensure they take appropriate measures to address those complexities to ensure the safe operation of such trains. Among other things, this Safety Advisory recommends that railroads review their operating rules and existing locomotive engineer certification programs to address operational complexities of train length, take appropriate action to prevent the loss of communications between end-of-train devices, and mitigate the impacts of long trains on blocked crossings.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christian Holt, Staff Director, Operating Practices Division, Office of Railroad Safety, FRA, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20590, telephone [phone].

Disclaimer: This Safety Advisory is considered guidance pursuant to DOT Order 2100.6A (June 7, 2021). Except when referencing laws, regulations, policies, or orders, the information in this Safety Advisory does not have the force and effect of law and is not binding in any way. This document does not review or replace any previously issued guidance.

{snip}

In the Federal Register:

I don't think it's been published yet. I couldn't find it. Here's an earlier safety advisory on the same subject:

Safety Advisory 2023-02; Train Makeup and Operational Safety Concerns

[mahatmakanejeeves]

3. FRA Safety Advisory: 'Train Length a Critical Factor'

April 27, 2023 | Regulatory

FRA Safety Advisory: ‘Train Length a Critical Factor’

Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-Chief

{snip the picture of Amit Bose}

The Federal Railroad Administration on April 27 issued Safety Advisory 2023-03, Accident Mitigation and Train Length, “to increase awareness of the potential complexities associated with operating longer trains, and push railroads to take appropriate measures to address those complexities to ensure safety.” Building on FRA Safety Advisory 2023-02 (issued April 10), which was focused primarily on train makeup, the new notice “also makes clear that train length, just like train makeup, is a critical factor to consider when building any train,” FRA said.

Safety Advisory 2023-03 cites three incidents involving trains with more than 200 cars, a length of 12,250 feet or more, and a weight of more than 17,000 trailing tons—Springfield, Ohio, March 4, 2023 (Norfolk Southern); Ravenna, Ohio, Nov. 1, 2022 (NS); and Rockwell, Iowa, March 24, 2022 (Union Pacific). Its eight recommendations include “proactive steps to prevent future accidents, such as identifying changes to crew training; train handling procedures; train makeup; distributed power unit (DPU) requirements; limitations to length or tonnage; speed restrictions; track, mechanical, and brake inspection; and maintenance requirements necessary to ensure safe operations of longer trains. Also included are recommendations that railroads use due diligence and provide complete data and detailed information after an incident occurs to understand the factors leading to and the consequences of an accident.”

Additionally, FRA highlighted “numerous potential safety risks associated with blocked crossings, particularly how a stopped train or long train can impede the ability of first responders to assist individuals in need.”

FRA noted this version of the Safety Advisory (downloadable below) “is not intended to constitute the official published notice. This version was submitted for publication on April 27, 2023, and the official notice will be published in the Federal Register in the near future. The published version may appear slightly different than this one, due to formatting requirements and non-substantive editorial changes.”

Editor’s Comment: Interestingly, while FRA Associate Administrator for Safety and Chief Safety Officer Karl Alexy signed Safety Advisory 2023-02, Federal Railroad Administrator Amit Bose signed 2023-03. According to one experienced railroader well-versed in Safety Advisories, it is highly unusual for the Administrator, rather than a member of FRA’s professional staff, to sign and issue one. – William C. Vantuono

Safety-Advisory-2023-03 Download

Tags: Breaking News, Federal Railroad Administration, FRA