SMART TD’S Risch: Longer Freight Trains Carry Safety Concerns

As freight trains grow longer, so do safety concerns.  According to an article posted by the Omaha World-Herald on July 2, carriers are looking to increase their bottom line by running as many as 142 cars on one freight train—but at what risk?
The article noted that in just the past year, Union Pacific (UP) railroad has increased the length of their freight trains by 45 percent.
According to John Risch, SMART TD Legislative Director, this fast-growing trend raises bright red flags.
“Long trains create both safety and operational concerns, and we have asked the Federal Railroad Administration to investigate the problem of long trains,” said Risch, who was interviewed for the article.
Read the complete article here.