(The Associated Press circulated the following on January 16.)
NEW YORK — Senator Charles Schumer is calling for stronger federal regulation of the railroads.
The New York Democrat says regulators share the blame for a January sixth train wreck in South Carolina that led to the death of nine people after toxic chlorine gas leaked from a railcar.
Schumer says the Federal Railroad Administration is notorious for having regulations, as he puts it, “as strong as a wet noodle.” And he says the railroads actually regulate themselves under the current system.
Schumer says manual track switches should be replaced with a computerized system.
And he wants to establish a strict age limit for railcars carrying hazardous materials.
He’s also calling for a stricter railroad safety program which includes the hiring of more inspectors.