Aerial photograph of derailment site, courtesy of the NTSB.

East Palestine: NTSB Examining Tank Car Hatch Covers

Following the completion of damage assessment inspections of the 11 Norfolk Southern (NS) hazardous materials (hazmat) tank cars, including the five carrying vinyl chloride, that derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 3, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) says it is “concerned that aluminum protective housing covers on some tank cars melted or were consumed when pressure relief devices (PRDs) vented burning gas while functioning as designed to relieve tank pressure.”

Westbound NJT North Jersey Coast Line train 3231—nine MultiLevels hauled by an ALP46 electric—crosses the Navesink River Bridge. Along the line is the Long Branch Station, where a USDOT Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program award will help remove an at-grade rail crossing and construct a pedestrian tunnel. (William C. Vantuono Photograph)

USDOT Debuts Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) on Feb. 28 reported that its new Reconnecting Communities Pilot Grant Program will distribute $185 million to 45 projects; this includes six capital construction grants (with one rail-related project) and 39 planning grants (with nine rail-related projects).

NS: Paid Sick Leave for BMWED, NCFO (UPDATED)

Norfolk Southern (NS) was the third Class I to offer paid sick leave to craft railroaders. On Feb. 22, it reported reaching an agreement with the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division-International Brotherhood of Teamsters (BMWED), and on Feb. 24, it added the National Conference of Firemen and Oilers (NCFO).

STB Arbitration Program Sidelined

The Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) arbitration program for small rate disputes will not go forward as written in its Dec. 19, 2022, rule.

NS Enhances East Palestine Track Excavation/Remediation Plan

Norfolk Southern on Feb. 22, the day before the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its preliminary report on the Feb. 3 East Palestine, Ohio, derailment, announced that it will, in a two-week period,

Aerial photograph of derailment site, courtesy of the NTSB.

NTSB Issues Preliminary Report on NS Ohio Derailment

The National Transportation Safety Board on Feb. 23 released a preliminary report on its investigation into the Norfolk Southern (NS) derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. NS, the Association of American Railroads (AAR)

USDOT Issues Safety “Calls for Action” (Updated Feb. 22, Cowen Insight, DOT-117 Data, ACC Statement)

More than two weeks after the Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine, Ohio that is currently under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board, the U.S. Department of Transportation has issued “immediate

NS Ohio Derailment Under Investigation; NTSB Preliminary Report Scheduled (Updated Feb. 22)

Fifty cars of Norfolk Southern merchandise train 32N, hauling vinyl chloride and a variety of other freight, derailed in East Palestine, Ohio late on Feb. 3, causing a massive fire that forced

The now weekly E-Commerce Baltimore Express service will increase ship sizes by nearly 50%.

Intermodal Briefs: Port of Baltimore, APM Terminals Mobile

ZIM Shipping Lines will increase service frequency and ship size at the Port of Baltimore. Also, APM Terminals Mobile targets U.S. Southeast and Midwest logistics growth.

(Shutterstock/ Monton Tiemrak)

25 UNDER 40

RAILWAY AGE, FEBRUARY 2023 ISSUE: Railway Age is proud to recognize 25 ‘Fast Trackers’ Under 40 in 2023.

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