FRA Issues Final Rule to Prevent Rollaway Trains

In July 2013, an unattended 74-car train loaded the highly volatile Bakken crude oil rolled downhill and derained in Lac-Mégantic, Canada, killing 47 people and injuring scores more. Investigators turned up nearly 20 contributing factors the primary cause was that the engineer simply failed to secure the train.

The incident prompted multiple investagations and actions by the US Department of Transportation and the Federal Railroad Administration. The latest is a final rule by the FRA affecting trains carrying any poisonous by inhalation or toxic by inhalation hazardous materials, or 20 or more cars of other high-hazard flammable materials and left unattended on a mainline, siding or rail yard.

Primary requirements include:

  • A qualified and trained railroad employee to properly secure the equipment and verification of the securement with a second trained and qualified employee;
  • Additional communication, including job briefings among crew members responsible for the train securement;
  • Properly installed and utilized exterior locks on locomotives;
  • The setting of sufficient handbrakes;
  • Removal of the train reverser; and
  • The proper use of train air brakes.

In addition, exterior locks on locomotives will also be required by March 1, 2017, and must be utilized any time alocomotive is left unattended.

"Where the Federal Railroad Administration can take smart steps to quickly raise the bar on safety, it will, and that is exactly what we are doing today," said Acting FRA Adminstrator Sarah Feinberg. "Requiring that an additional, trained individual double check that the handbrakes have been set on a train will help stop preventable accidents. While today's rule came out of a lesson learned from the Lac-Mégantic derailment, FRA will not hesitate to take additional actions to keep the rail system in the United States safe."

See the complete final rule on the FRA's website. If you suffer an injury or loss due to an incident involving an unattended train or other negligent act, contact Jacksonville's Rail Justice at call 888-519-RAIL.