(The Associated Press circulated the following article on March 18.)
GILLETTE, Wyo. — A nonprofit industry group that represents railroads, utility companies and mining companies has brought together 40 industry representatives to study ways to reduce coal dust on rail beds in the Powder River Basin.
The National Coal Transportation Association has put together three committees to study the issue.
The coal dust and buildup of other particles on the rail bed have been blamed for contributing to May derailments of trains coming out of the basin.
The buildup leads to improper drainage, which softens and deteriorates the rail bed. Union Pacific and BNSF Railway Co., which together operate the 127-mile Joint Line that serves Campbell County area mines, have spent millions of dollars shoring up the rails.
They have also faced increased criticism about rail rates and the ability of the trains to get coal to market.
“Much of the track deterioration has been as a result of coal dust,” said UP spokesman Mark Davis. “The study is working to determine that next step.”
Committees are studying ways to improve the loading chute design that smooths coal loaded into rail cars at the mines and ways to keep dust from leaking out of the bottom of coal cars. Another committee is studying the effects of applying a chemical agent that would bind dust to coal.