(The Associated Press circulated the following article on October 19.)
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — The Federal Railroad Association has signed an agreement with the Sioux Falls-based Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad to bring it into compliance with federal safety regulations, the agency said.
The agency said it conducted a series of inspections in July and August that found problems with DM&E’s management and safety program. It cited problems with track maintenance, employee training, bridge inspections and highway-rail grade crossing warning systems.
The agreement requires DM&E to come up with a three-year track maintenance plan to deal with track defects, fix broken joint bars and improve inspection practices. DM&E must also retrain managers and test employees on certain procedures, the agency said.
“It is imperative that railroads and their employees follow safety rules to prevent accidents, avoid injuries and safeguard communities,” FRA Administrator Joseph Boardman said in a release.
Company officials could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
On Saturday, fire destroyed a wooden bridge along DM&E’s main line near Midland in western South Dakota and 11 cars went off the track. About 50 spans of the wooden trestle bridge over the Bad River burned.
Several options for a fix are possible, but the entire bridge and its approaches will need to be rebuilt, company officials have said.