(The following story by Tim Latshaw appeared on the Post-Journal website on April 12.)
DUNKIRK, N.Y. — Standing on the scene of Monday’s CSX train derailment in Dunkirk, U.S. Rep. Brian Higgins said he is warning railroads to police themselves before the federal government steps in.
Higgins called rail safety statistics released by the Federal Railroad Administration, including 167 train derailments in Erie and Chautauqua counties in the past 10 years, ‘‘a very urgent problem that needs to be addressed.’’
Of the 167 derailments in the two counties, 12 were in Chautauqua County and 155 were in Erie County. The administration’s nationwide study, released several weeks ago, also claimed 3,518 defects to have been found on CSX properties throughout the country, including 369 in New York.
‘‘The bottom line is, unless CSX and the other rail companies regulate themselves, they’re going to be regulated by the federal government or more strictly,’’ Higgins said.
The congressman said the House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, of which he is a member, will introduce legislation later this month to tighten federal regulations concerning rail safety.
Part of the legislation would increase the number of inspections and inspectors who would regularly monitor rail conditions before accidents happen. In December, Higgins requested an FRA evaluation of railroad bridges and overpasses in Western New York in response to derailments in Erie County. The FRA inspected bridges specific to the derailment incidents, but said they did not have the resources to conduct a thorough review of the entire area.
‘‘I think what’s happening now, because of the shortage of personnel, they’re more reactive as opposed to ensuring the track is safe before a derailment actually occurs,’’ Higgins said.
Some credit was given to CSX conducting its own investigation into the derailments, but Higgins said more objective reviews are required.
Higgins was joined at the Temple Road railroad crossings Wednesday by local officials including Dunkirk Mayor Richard Frey, Dunkirk City Councilmen Richard Makuch and James Muscato, Chautauqua County Legislators Keith Ahlstrom and Robert Duff, Priscilla Penfold, Dunkirk councilwoman, and Maclain Nichols, Dunkirk development director.
CSX crews were performing work on the tracks just outside of the Chautauqua County Home when nine railcars filled with coal derailed early Monday morning. No injuries were reported and no threat was said to be presented to the home, but the incident adds to a list of New York derailments in recent months that have caught the attentions of officials.
‘‘We’re going to be working with the local community, we’re going to be working with the Federal Railroad Administration and Congress to ensure that CSX is held accountable to maintain trackbeds because in older areas like Chautauqua, like Erie County, the aging infrastructure is more susceptible to breaking and damage, which causes further concern relative to public safety,’’ he said.