Senator Chuck Schumer holds up letter he has sent to major railroad companies (March 7, 2023)

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is demanding answers from major rail companies just as Norfolk Southern released a six-point safety plan Monday four weeks after the toxic train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.

Norfolk-Southern said their six-point plan is based on the preliminary findings of the National Transportation Safety Board as they continue investigating the derailment.

The February 3 derailment caused a fire and sent a cloud of smoke over the town, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate while railroad crews drained and burned off toxic chemicals. It has prompted calls in Congress to pass new railroad safety legislation.

While the NTSB’s investigation is ongoing, the agency has determined a wheel bearing was in the final stage of overheat failure before the crash.

Schumer outlined some of the 10 points of his letter to Norfolk Southern, CSX, and the other major railroads in a media call, “What notification do you provide to the state and local responders and now, more importantly, what changes will you make with notification in light of the recent derailment in Ohio? Two, how will you ensure local responders have the appropriate resources to respond to a train derailment? It’s not the railroads that have to respond, but local first responders.”

Schumer has requested a response to his letter within 30 days.

A bipartisan railway safety bill by the senators from Ohio would boost safety requirements for trains carrying hazardous materials, call for more frequent inspections of rail cars, increase fines for safety violations and greenlight $27 million to examine possible other safety improvements.

The bill would also require more frequent use of sensors that detect overheated wheel bearings.

Meanwhile, Norfolk Southern’s CEO Alan Shaw has agreed to testify on the Ohio train derailment before the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Thursday, March 9.

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Image of crews working to cleanup an ethanol spill following a train derailment in Ripley on March 1, 2016. (Image courtesy of Bryce Johnson)

RIPLEY – It was a busy day in Ripley on Wednesday as crews continued to remove some of the 16 cars from a Norfolk Southern freight train that derailed Tuesday night, forcing the evacuation of nearly 100 residents from their homes.

Officials now say the derailment occurred around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday. Officials say there were no injuries and no fires, but two of the three cars containing hazardous materials leaked.

Officials say 1 to 2 gallons of ethanol leaked per minute following the derailment, releasing 5,000-10,000 gallons of gas. Another derailed tanker also contained propane, but there didn’t appear to be any spill and the tanker was secure.

Because ethanol is highly flammable, the entire area was evacuated as a precaution. Thankfully, there was no fire or explosion and crews were able to clean up the majority of the spill by Wednesday night.

Up to 80 homes were evacuated, possibly displacing as many as 100 people. Some were able to find temporary shelter with friends or family. Others were taken to a hotel or stayed in the sanctuary of Ripley Methodist Church.

Also affected by the derailment is Amtrak passenger train service between Chicago and New York City. The Eastbound Lake Shore Limited service was stopping at Cleveland while the westbound train was stopping at Buffalo. Buses were ferrying passengers between the two cities.

The cause of the incident is under investigation by the Federal Railroad Administration and the state Department of Transportation.

Crews work Wednesday morning to cleanup an ethanol spill following a train derailment in Ripley on Tuesday, March 1, 2016. (Image courtesy of Bryce Johnson)

RIPLY, NY – There’s been a train derailment in Chautauqua County.

Dozens of people were forced out of their homes in Ripley Tuesday night after a train derailment triggered an ethanol spill.

A statement from Governor Andrew Cuomo says 15 rail cars traveling on the Norfolk Southern line derailed near Shaver Street and Mechanic Street in Ripley at about 11:20 p.m.

“While there is no fire or reported injuries at this time, three rail cars carrying hazardous liquids, including ethanol were turned on their side, and one is confirmed to be leaking,” the governor said in his statement. “As a result, emergency response officials evacuated several homes in the immediate vicinity and instructed other nearby residents to stay inside while authorities continue to assess the situation.”

The cause of the derailment on Tuesday, March 1, 2016 remains under investigation. (Image courtesy of Bryce Johnson)

Hazmat teams are using foam equipment to contain the spill and working to patch the leaks.

“I have directed the state Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services’ Office of Emergency Management, the Office of Fire Prevention and Control, the Department of Environmental Conservation as well as foam equipment to assist in suppressing the spill and provide support to hazmat teams that will be working to patch the leak,” the governor said.

According to Time Warner Cable news, 45 homes in the area were evacuated as a precaution and other neighbors have been told to stay inside their homes. Ripley Central School is also closed today and all activities and events are canceled.

Chautauqua County Executive Vince Horrigan will be providing a further update Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. at the Ripley Fire Hall, 15 S. State St. in Ripley. Horrigan will be joined by state and local officials.