Railroad hazards

Those in favor of reinstating rail service along the Brewer-Calais line should consider this startling information. Railroad accidents in the United States occur at an average rate of one every 90 minutes. A train carrying hazardous materials runs off the tracks, spills some of its load and forces an evacuation about once every two weeks.

During the 1990s there have been continued reductions in train crews and staff support, including train operators, inspectors and maintenance workers. At the same time, rail traffic has increased by 40 percent. This has resulted in one-third of the states experiencing more rail-related fatalities in 1998 than six years earlier. Under existing federal rules, railroads are essentially self-regulated. Railroad traffic control methods, used to manage routing, speed and traffic warning signals, are principally based on technology that was developed in the 1930s.

If an accident should occur along this line, the results to nearby lakes and streams would be devastating. Property values would deflate and lives would be endangered for those who live along its path. Since railroads rely heavily on government subsidies to operate and the state of Maine owns the Brewer-Calais right of way, the burden of rehabilitating and maintaining the line would rest largely with the taxpayers. Given this information, I’m sure most Maine taxpayers will agree that this state has no business running a railroad.

Statistical information can be verified through RailWatch, 1-877-729-2824.

James A. Economy

Dedham