(The following story by Gregory Richards appeared on The Virginian-Pilot website on October 18.)
NORFOLK, Va. — The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a wide-ranging railroad safety bill by a 377-38 vote. The Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act requires more railroad inspectors, adopts heftier penalties for violations and limits the hours railroad workers can work.
It reorganizes the existing Federal Railroad Administration into the Federal Railroad Safety Administration and authorizes $1.1 billion for its expenses from fiscal years 2008 to 2011.
It requires big railroads such as Norfolk-based Norfolk Southern Corp. to develop plans for installing “positive train control” technology to help reduce accidents.
It also bans the “camp cars” that Norfolk Southern uses to house some of its traveling track workers. The Senate commerce committee approved a railroad safety bill last month, but it has not been voted on by the full body.