(The following report by Mike Hellgren appeared at WJZ.com on December 13.)
BALTIMORE — Three recent train derailments near homes and M&T Bank Stadium alarmed Baltimore City and state leaders. They met Wednesday night with CSX about the hazardous freight rolling through the heart of Baltimore. Mike Hellgren has new reaction from the community and the potential threat.
The meeting is one of a series. CSX and the city declined to comment on what progress they made, but the mayor wants to know just what’s in those trains after some close calls.
A freight train snakes around M&T Bank Stadium and around dozens of homes. Right now, emergency officials have no idea if it’s carrying any hazardous chemicals. That’s a big concern after a derailment near the stadium last month. Some of the cars were filled with flammable liquid.
It rattled top elected leaders and people who live in the area, like Ryan Webster.
“All these tanks and things like that, you never know what’s in there,” he said. “It just reminds you that there are dangers right outside your back door.”
That’s why CSX, which owns the tracks, is working with the city and members of Congress, who want emergency managers to have access to what’s in every car.
“Give us real time notice. Respond quickly,” said Representative Elijah Cummings.
CSX will enroll Baltimore in a pilot program, already in place in New Jersey and New York, which will provide some information.
“There’s a training process and a software issue as we try to communicate better, and that’s being put in place as we speak,” said Mayor Sheila Dixon.
The derailment in November is one of three lately, including one off Pulaski Highway and another near homes in Locust Point.
“What are we going to do when we have a large presence of people within the stadiums, as well as other events?” Dixon said.
Baltimore has demanded safeguards since the devastating Howard Street train tunnel fire in 2001, but it’s not the only city with this problem. Washington, D.C. and CSX are fighting over the district’s ban on hazardous freight.
“The train companies know exactly what’s in every car. They know the schedule. They assemble the trains themselves. To supply that information to city authorities should not be a big deal,” Webster said.
Mayor Dixon is also asking CSX to look for alternate routes for hazardous freight during Ravens and Orioles game times.