Derailment Renews Concerns About Hazardous Cargo

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The weekend's CSX train derailment is renewing worries about hazardous rail cargo.

Alex DeMetrick looks at what's being done to minimize the risks.

There are federal rules in place and a push by legislators to beef up Maryland's oversight of what's riding the rails.

The chemical spilled in the Washington DC derailment was toxic but not volatile.

"With the exception of the sodium hydrozide car that was leaking, there was no problems. At no time did we do an evacuation or shelter in place," said the fire chief.

But that isn't always the case. A CSX derailment inside the Howard Street tunnel in Baltimore in 2001 sparked a chemical fire that burned for days. Three years ago, explosions rocked the Rosedale area after a truck and train collided. After each incident, concerns about hazardous cargo were raised.

The DC accident is doing it again.

"This is just one of a bunch of things that comes through this neighborhood. What about all the things we don't know about?" said one neighbor.

Federal rules require railroads to use routing software that takes into account populations along a route, the length of the trip and the train speed to find the safest route for hazardous cargo.

"The safety of every community where we operate is our highest priority," said a CSX spokesman.

"A lot of times, communities nearby these rail lines don't know, aren't aware, of what's actually traveling a few feet from their houses or their community," said Delegate Clarence Lam.

Del. Lam wants to see that change in Maryland. He's sponsored legislation.

"That would improve disclosure of particularly hazardous chemicals and liquids that would be traveling the rail lines," Lam said.

The legislation would also provide training for first responders, improve crossings and increase the number of state rail safety inspectors.

So far, backers have not been able to turn the legislation into law. They'll try again next session.

Since the beginning of this year, nine CSX trains carrying hazardous materials have derailed in the US.